China's Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket ready for late December launch
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 28, 2024

China's Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket has successfully completed its final assembly test in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, according to its developer, CAS Space. The rocket, which has also passed its factory review, is scheduled to launch in late December carrying 11 satellites.

During the test, CAS Space utilized a self-developed initiator for the first time. This, alongside other innovative products, has significantly reduced both operational costs and production time. The new components are tailored for mass rocket production and support the routine operation of commercial launch services.

As part of the final assembly process, the rocket's 3.35-meter diameter fairing underwent riveting, closure, spraying, and final delivery.

The Lijian-1 series, a cornerstone of China's commercial space sector, boasts a high success rate, robust reliability, and cost-efficiency. Across five flight missions, the series has successfully launched a total of 57 satellites.

CAS Space, the rocket's developer, is a commercial spaceflight company established under the Institute of Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

China's commercial space industry continues to expand rapidly. In 2023, the country executed 67 rocket launches, including 13 private commercial rocket missions. Of these, 12 achieved successful orbital deployment.

The importance of the commercial space sector was highlighted in December 2023 during the Central Economic Work Conference, where it was designated a strategic emerging industry. This designation was reiterated in the 2024 government work report presented at the annual sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body.

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