Weiguang Qihang Unveils World's First All-Carbon Fiber Launch Vehicle at CSC2026
Summary: At the 2026 China Aerospace Conference (CSC2026) held in Chengdu from April 23-26, Beijing Weiguang Qihang Technology Co., Ltd. unveiled its core product — the 'Weiguang-1' all-carbon fiber launch vehicle. As the world's first commercial launch vehicle integrating 'full-flow staged combustion cycle + carbon fiber composite + liquid oxygen methane' technologies, the Weiguang-1 significantly reduces structural dry mass through extensive use of carbon fiber composites, directly addressing the core challenge of 'cost per kilogram to orbit.'
Image credit: TakeFoto
From April 23 to 26, 2026, the 2026 China Aerospace Conference (CSC2026) was held in Chengdu under the theme "70 Years of Space Exploration, Together Exploring the Nine Heavens." At this conference, Beijing Weiguang Qihang Technology Co., Ltd. ("Weiguang Qihang"), a rising force in China's commercial aerospace sector, showcased its core product — the 'Weiguang-1' all-carbon fiber launch vehicle — along with key exhibits including the full-flow staged combustion liquid oxygen methane engine and all-carbon fiber common bottom propellant tanks, attracting widespread industry attention.
Technical Features
The 'Weiguang-1' (WG-1) is a medium-sized liquid reusable launch vehicle independently developed by Weiguang Qihang, featuring three core technological advantages:
Full-Flow Staged Combustion Cycle: Adopting full-flow staged combustion technology, it offers high combustion efficiency and excellent propellant utilization, representing one of the most advanced liquid rocket engine technology pathways currently available.
All-Carbon Fiber Composite Structure: The vehicle extensively uses carbon fiber composite materials in its structure, significantly reducing structural dry mass (the proportion of rocket self-weight to takeoff weight). Compared with traditional metal materials, carbon fiber composites feature high strength and low density, substantially reducing structural weight and increasing payload capacity.
Liquid Oxygen Methane Propellants: Using liquid oxygen and methane as the propellant combination. Liquid oxygen methane combustion produces no coking or carbon buildup, enabling rocket engine reuse and reducing launch costs. Additionally, methane has high energy density, making it an ideal propellant for reusable rockets.
Weiguang Qihang's Founder and CEO Gao Huan stated at the conference: "Launch vehicles are not merely transportation to space — they should become the 'Moore's Law carrier' of the space economy. We are adding to the space economy through subtraction with composite materials, continuously reducing the cost per kilogram to orbit and unlocking the core code of space trade."
Market Positioning and Significance
Weiguang Qihang states that the 'Weiguang-1' addresses the core challenge of "cost per kilogram to orbit" for launch vehicles from first principles. Through the combination of carbon fiber composites reducing structural weight, full-flow staged combustion improving engine efficiency, and liquid oxygen methane enabling reusability, the 'Weiguang-1' is expected to offer competitive pricing in the commercial launch market.
Additionally, Weiguang Qihang also showcased key components such as the full-flow staged combustion liquid oxygen methane engine and all-carbon fiber common bottom propellant tanks at the conference, demonstrating its independent R&D capabilities in core technologies.
About Weiguang Qihang
Beijing Weiguang Qihang Technology Co., Ltd. is a startup focused on commercial launch vehicle development, committed to reducing the cost of accessing space through technological innovation. Its 'Weiguang-1' project represents an important exploration in the reusable rocket sector within China's commercial aerospace industry.