'If once together with the wind the Da Peng bird could rise,

He would fly 90,000 miles up to the skies."

These are the opening lines of a famous poem by Li Bai, a renowned poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The Da Peng bird, a mythical giant bird of prey also known as great roc, symbolizes grand prospects and soaring ambition in Li's metaphor.

On October 16, this symbolism became reality on the southeastern coast of Wenchang in the southernmost Chinese province of Hainan. A Long March 8 carrier rocket, with fiery intensity, rose from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site before eager eyes. The launch site is built and operated by Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co. Ltd. (HICAL). The mission successfully delivered 12 low-Earth-orbit satellites for a satellite Internet constellation into their designated orbits.

This launch was the fourth flight of the Long March 8 rocket since its maiden flight earlier this year, and the milestone 600th mission for the Long March rocket series.

"With this consecutive success, we are proud to have contributed to the Long March rocket's 600th launch," Yang Tianliang, Chairman of HICAL, told Beijing Review. Behind these words lies the company's arduous journey in pioneering China's commercial space industry.

Space infrastructure 

Several years ago, this site was an expanse of coconut groves and fish ponds. Today, formidable space infrastructure stands tall.

In 2022, the Central Government approved the construction of China's first commercial space launch site there, mandating its completion within 18 months and operational readiness within two years. Yang's first impression upon arriving at the site was one of disbelief: a dirt road leading to coastal coconut groves, a makeshift fence, a single pile driver and a dozen workers—nothing more.

Manpower, experience and technology were all in short supply. Few within the company had prior experience in the space sector, many employees had never even seen a launch site, and no design firm could provide a blueprint for such a facility. Faced with this, the team embarked on a dual mission: building the workforce while racing against time.

The company brought in nearly 400 talents from across the aerospace sector, who started by immersing themselves in conceptualizing architectures. Soon, the No.1 and No.2 launch pads were completed, the propellant loading and gas supply systems passed all subsystem integration tests in just three months, and the 110-kilovolt commercial space power station was connected with the grid in a mere 203 days.

Growth, however, was not without setbacks. In September 2024, super typhoon Mogic struck the launch site head-on. Yet, the site survived and emerged stronger.

Breakthroughs are now evident in efficiency.

This September, inside the dedicated assembly and testing hall for the Long March 8 series, rocket segments lay prone in assembly bays as technicians worked diligently. The assembled core stages were to be transported to adjacent high-bay facilities for testing before being conveyed to the launch tower.

During Beijing Review's visit, a Long March 8 rocket had already been transferred to the No.1 launch pad on September 30, awaiting its launch window. The presence of two rockets, poised like relay athletes, demonstrated the site's capacity for seamless, high-density launch operations. Earlier, the site had achieved two consecutive launches within five days, denoting its official entry into a new era of high-frequency, routine launches.

"It functions more as a foundational infrastructure," Yang explained. "With the launch site established, more rocket and satellite companies can cluster their operations here." Traditionally, rockets are assembled and tested in a factory, then disassembled for transport and painstakingly reassembled at the launch site. At the Hainan facility, rockets can be transported directly from the factory to the launch pad, drastically reducing time and costs while enhancing overall efficiency.

Commercial space chain 

As a strategic emerging industry and new growth engine, the commercial space sector is evolving at a breakneck pace, calling for more launch pads. The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site grows to meet this rising demand.

On January 25, construction of the site's second phase officially commenced. Spanning approximately 455 hectares, it will include the No.3 and No.4 launch pads and their supporting facilities, with operations scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

"Upon completion, the four pads are projected to facilitate over 60 launches annually, with the launch cycle for a single pad reduced from a month to just 10 days or even a week," Yang said, his weathered face radiating pride and accomplishment.

Unlike other launch sites in China, the Hainan facility is tailored exclusively for commercial space endeavors, incorporating multiple innovations from its inception to optimize cost and time efficiency.

Its low-latitude position at 19 degrees north of the Equator enhances the payload capacity of rockets by 10 to 15 percent, while facing the sea on three sides facilitates maritime transport and ensures safe, controlled oceanic landing.

Policy advantages are equally pronounced. The Hainan Free Trade Port's policies—including zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system and regulations enabling secure cross-border data transfer—have fostered an innovative industrial ecosystem in Wenchang International Aerospace City. This ecosystem is characterized by a streamlined model: "Launch upon delivery, reuse upon return, operation upon launch and service upon data."

Wang Fengyu, Deputy Director of Wencheng International Space City Administration, elaborated: "Centered on the launch site, we've established an industrial system, comprising the rocket chain, satellite chain, data chain, space tourism and 'space plus' industries. Moving forward, we will strengthen and expand these chains to build a robust space industry cluster."

Commercial space development has also brought the public closer to the cosmos than ever before. Zhang Xiaojun, chief commander of the No.1 launch pad and a seasoned commander, lightened his tone when discussing public enthusiasm: "In Wenchang, people watch launches from the beach, coconut groves, rooftops and balconies. Each broadcast attracts a massive audience," he chuckled. "Generally, viewing is safe beyond a 2.5-km radius from the exclusion zone," he explained.

Simultaneously, the commercial space sector is increasingly integrating AI, big data and advanced computing, propelling space technology into everyday life. Academician Fan Ruixiang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said that the success of the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site has bridged serious gaps in the commercial space supply chain—a milestone for the sector's development in China.

"To construct and accomplish its first mission in just over two years without prior technical accumulation—there is no precedent for this in global space construction history," Yang said. "We were the first to taste the crab." From coconut groves and fish ponds to a sturdy launch pad, this land now serves as the enduring foundation for China's commercial journey to the stars. BR

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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