Beijing Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology Co., Ltd. is the first domestic aerospace enterprise with mixed ownership, and it is also the target enterprise that Oriental Aerospace Port focuses on introducing. Relying on the scientific research strength and resource advantages of the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Aerospace Flight Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Aerospace Science and Technology has been committed to the research and development and integration of space technology and aerospace vehicles as a platform for the transformation of major national scientific research projects, as well as the transformation and provision of technological achievements. Aerospace launch service. The Lijian-1 rocket project also adds a brand-new name card to the Oriental Space Port, which will surely promote the construction of the Oriental Space Port to take a solid step forward.
At 1203 afternoon on 14th April 2026 Beijing time, CASSPace the Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket, designated “International Textile City,” successfully launched from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China., accurately sending successfully launched eight satellites, including the Jixing Gaofen 07A02 satellite, into their predetermined orbits using the Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone. The launch mission was a complete success….
This mission marked the 12th flight of the LiJian-1 carrier rocket, once again powerfully demonstrating its high reliability, cost-effectiveness, and strong performance capabilities. The Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket….
China Successfully Launches 8 Satellites in One Launch …… To date, the Lijian-1 carrier rocket has successfully sent 92 satellites into space, with a total payload mass exceeding 12 tons. Leveraging its mature and stable multi-satellite launch configuration and precise separation technology, the Lijian-1 holds the record for the highest number of multi-satellite launches by a civilian commercial rocket (26 satellites in one launch), continuously demonstrating its industry-leading launch capabilities. Its impressive launch achievements have solidified its market competitiveness and firmly established China’s position in the commercial space industry
successfully carried out its maiden flight mission of the year, sending eight high-resolution optical remote sensing satellites, including the “Postal Savings Bank” satellite, into their predetermined orbits in a “one rocket, eight satellites” configuration, thus fully opening the prelude to the commercial spaceflight flight-based launch
Mission Background
- The launch site is located in the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone in Jiuquan, Gansu Province . The rocket is codenamed ” iNature ” and its body is painted with the “iNature·Love China” logo. It is a cross-sectoral cooperation project between China Natural Resources News Agency and CAS Aerospace, conveying the concept of ecological civilization
- This was the 12th flight of the Lijian-1 rocket, which has sent a total of 92 satellites into space, with a total payload mass exceeding 12 tons , setting a new domestic record for the highest number of satellites launched by a civilian commercial rocket (26 satellites in one launch
| Satellite Name | Features and Uses |
| Postal Savings Bank | Postal Savings Bank of China and Changguang Satellite jointly developed and promoted the application of satellite remote sensing in financial scenarios such as credit risk control and overseas project monitoring. |
| Lucky Star High Score 07 Series | All eight satellites belong to this series, with a resolution better than 0.5 meters. They support co-orbit stereo imaging and agile imaging, and are used in fields such as land surveying and smart cities. |
II. Technological Breakthroughs and Commercial Value
- Flight-based launch capability
- This mission employs a ” dedicated launch ” mode, customizing orbital parameters and launch windows based on satellite characteristics to achieve rapid scheduling and launch, significantly shortening the fulfilment cycle. The Lijian-1 rocket is scheduled to perform at least eight launches in 2026 , including two maritime missions.
- Zhongke Aerospace has established an annual production capacity of 10 rockets, which can be expanded to 30 rockets per year in the future, solving the bottleneck of “many satellites but few rockets” in commercial aerospace.
- Low cost and high reliability advantages
- The cost of a single launch of the Power Arrow-1 has been reduced to less than $10,000 per kilogram , the order response cycle has been shortened to 6 months, and it has the capability for rapid test launch in 7-10 days.
With 12 consecutive missions verifying technological maturity, the commercial space market is expected to exceed 80 billion yuan in 2026 , marking a turning point for the industry towards large-scale development
II. Innovative Applications and Social Impact
- Cross-border integration demonstration
- The “Postal Savings Bank” satellite is the first financial-customized remote sensing satellite in China , exploring a new “finance + aerospace” model.237
- The rocket body painting is a collaboration with Phoenix.com’s “WOW Made in China” brand, promoting the international dissemination of Chinese manufacturing.twenty four
- Industrial chain driving effect
- The launch mission spurred a surge in A-share commercial aerospace stocks, with individual stocks such as Western Materials hitting their daily limit, and the satellite ETF rising by more than 3% in a single day.
- Zhongke Aerospace is building a base in Guangzhou with an annual production capacity of 300 rocket engines, accelerating the layout of the aerospace industry chain in the Greater Bay Area
This mission marked the 12th flight of the Lijian-1 carrier rocket.
Images and visuals are from their respectives