Summary of Key Points
China's commercial aerospace industry is facing a paradox: although more launch sites are being constructed, the industry still feels a shortage of launch resources. On the surface, it appears that there is a lack of launch towers; however, the underlying issue lies in the absence of a flexible and adaptable launch system that can accommodate different rocket models. As a result, general-purpose launch sites are under heavy demand, while specialized sites may operate at low capacity for extended periods, and the increase in the number of sites does not translate into increased flexibility in launching rockets.
Detailed Analysis
1. Launch Sites Are Not “Airport Runways” – They Are the “Ground Part” of Rockets
Many people assume that launch sites are similar to airport runways, where any rocket of suitable size can be launched sequentially. In reality, liquid-fuel rocket launch sites function more like the “ground components” of rockets. The transportation, verticalization, fueling, command transmission, and emergency firefighting processes all rely on ground systems. Different rockets have unique requirements: some use liquid oxygen and kerosene, while others use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen; the diameter, weight, and number of engines also vary, leading to different methods of verticalization and fueling procedures. Even if rockets can be positioned next to each other on the same tower, the ground systems may not be compatible – for example, if Rocket A has its fueling port on the left and Rocket B on the right, the pipelines would not match.
In the past, with fewer rocket models and higher national mission priorities, it made sense to assign a dedicated launch site to each rocket model. However, with the surge in commercial rocket models, this approach leads to inefficiency, resulting in multiple towers being dedicated to individual companies and wasted resources.
2. Companies Build Dedicated Sites to Solve “Where to Launch” But Not “When to Launch”
Why do companies build dedicated sites? It’s not for show; rather, general-purpose sites are often occupied by other missions, and integrating new rockets requires significant modifications and testing. By owning their own sites, companies can streamline the launch process (for instance, Blue Arrow and Tianbing Technology have built such sites in Jiuquan). However, dedicated sites have a limitation: they are part of a national launch facility and cannot operate independently. Launches must take place at approved locations, with permits obtained through coordination with various authorities for airspace and maritime use, as well as planning for tracking and control systems – all of which are beyond the company’s control. Therefore, dedicated sites only address the issue of where rockets can be prepared but not when they will be launched.
3. General-Purpose Sites Are a Promise, But Not a “Universal Solution”
The Hainan Commercial Aerospace Launch Site’s Launch Site 2 is a good example. Designed for rockets with a core diameter of 5 meters, it uses a “three-in-one” approach (horizontal assembly, testing, and transportation) and modular interfaces to accommodate more than ten different rocket models, demonstrating that liquid-fuel rockets do not necessarily require a dedicated site per model. However, general-purpose sites are not universally compatible: if a rocket exceeds the design specifications or uses special fuels, modifications may be necessary. Even within the designated range, additional checks, software adjustments, and testing are required before each launch. The true measure of a general-purpose site’s effectiveness is not how many models it can accommodate, but how frequently it can support launches.
4. Maritime Launches: A Supplementary Option, Not a “Universal Solution”
Maritime launches use platforms instead of fixed towers, offering flexibility in choosing the launch location and landing area (for example, the Jielong-3 rocket traveled 1,300 nautical miles from Haiyang to near Yangjiang for deployment). This reduces reliance on land-based facilities. However, maritime launches have their limitations: currently, most domestic maritime launches involve solid-fuel rockets, which can be fully integrated on land without the need for cryogenic fuel transportation. Large liquid-fuel rockets face challenges in storing and transporting cryogenic fuels, as well as maintaining rocket stability during launch, making them more difficult to implement. Therefore, maritime launches serve as a supplementary option, not a substitute for land-based facilities.
5. The Lesson from SpaceX: It’s About the Match Between Rockets, Sites, and Orders
SpaceX is often credited for its efficiency due to dedicated sites, but the key lies in its stable order flow and a fleet of rockets that require frequent launches. Its success stems from having a reliable supply of rockets that can be launched quickly. For Chinese companies to benefit from similar approaches, they need a steady stream of orders and a fleet of rockets that can be launched frequently. Simply building more dedicated sites without these prerequisites will not be effective.
Conclusion: The Real Problem Lies in the System, Not the Number of Towers
What commercial aerospace needs is a unified set of standards and a flexible system that allows for efficient management of launches:
- Dedicated or long-term leased sites for rockets with frequent launches;
- General-purpose sites for rockets with fewer missions and standardized interfaces;
- Maritime launches for solid-fuel rockets.
Policies are also moving in this direction, with documents advocating for standardization and consolidation to avoid redundant infrastructure. The future evaluation of launch capabilities will focus on how many rockets can be launched reliably each year, rather than the number of towers built. After all, the ultimate goal is for rockets to successfully reach their destinations, not just to be displayed in a warehouse.
(Next article: “Are Larger Rockets More Advanced?” Stay tuned for more insights!)