Four Private Rocket Companies Selected for Qingzhou Cargo Spacecraft Launch Services
Summary: On June 5, 2026, China's public bidding service platform announced the shortlisted candidates for the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft launch services: four private rocket companies — Galactic Energy, CAS Space, Orienspace, and LandSpace. This marks the first time private launch vehicles have been included in China's space station cargo system, signaling a shift from technology demonstration to operational integration for commercial space. The Qingzhou cargo spacecraft, developed by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is planned for its maiden flight in January 2027.
The Qingzhou Cargo Spacecraft
The Qingzhou (meaning "Light Vessel") is a next-generation low-cost cargo spacecraft designed for China's space station logistics needs. Its pressurized cabin can carry approximately 1.8 tons of supplies for upmass and downmass transport. The tail section supports space exposure experiment payloads. During return, the spacecraft carries station waste for atmospheric reentry, burning up over uninhabited areas of the South Pacific.
An earlier test version of the spacecraft completed orbital verification on March 30, 2026, when CAS Space's Lijian-2 Y1 rocket launched it from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Site. During its time in orbit, the test spacecraft also demonstrated in-space metal additive manufacturing technology.
The Four Shortlisted Companies
The four candidate companies are leading players in China's commercial space sector:
| Company | Primary Rocket | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Galactic Energy | Ceres-1/2 | Solid propellant, multiple successful orbits |
| CAS Space | Lijian-2 | CBC configuration, maiden flight March 2026 |
| Orienspace | Gravity-1 | Sea-launch capable, solid propellant |
| LandSpace | Zhuque-2/2E | LOX-methane, multiple successful flights |
The multi-company procurement approach means Qingzhou's launch services will use a competitive model rather than being tied to a single rocket provider. This arrangement ensures mission flexibility while giving private rocket companies stable national-level mission orders.
Policy Significance
Opening Qingzhou's launch services to private rockets represents a significant policy breakthrough in China's space governance. Previously, all space station crew and cargo missions were exclusively handled by the Long March rocket family under CASC. Including private rockets in the station's cargo system reflects a policy shift from "encouraging development" to "operational utilization" of commercial space.
From an industry perspective, space station cargo missions impose high requirements on rocket reliability, payload capacity, and mission adaptability. Being shortlisted is itself an official endorsement of these companies' technical capabilities. With Qingzhou's maiden flight approaching in January 2027, the selected companies will face accelerated pressure to transition from development to production scale.