China's commercial space sector logged 50 launches in 2025

BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's commercial space sector sustained rapid growth in 2025, completing 50 launches throughout the year, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Tuesday.

These launches accounted for 54 percent of the country's total number of space missions in 2025, and 25 were carried out by commercial launch vehicles.

The Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan conducted nine launches last year, the CNSA said.

It noted that a total of 311 commercial satellites were placed into orbit over the year, representing 84 percent of all Chinese satellites launched into orbit in 2025.

Research and tests on reusable launch vehicles advanced rapidly last year. The Zhuque-3 reusable carrier rocket made its maiden flight, successfully orbiting its second stage and carrying out verification for key technologies such as first-stage re-entry and return technologies. ■