BEIJING, July 10 — China’s state-owned space giant, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is pressing ahead with an ambitious expansion of its Long March 10B rocket program, a project that has already drawn billions of yuan in state investment and signals Beijing’s intent to dominate the commercial launch market. CASC, formed in 1999 from the former Ministry of Aerospace Industry, remains the primary contractor for China’s space program. It employs over 170,000 people.
The Long March 10B program is led by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), based in Beijing. The project manager is Wang Xiaojun, a senior engineer at CALT who previously worked on the Long March 5 and Long March 7 programs.
The YF-100K engine, a critical component for the rocket, was developed by the Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology (AALPT), a CASC subsidiary. According to state reports, the company has invested an estimated 10 billion yuan in the Long March 10B program since 2020. That sum, roughly equivalent to $1.4 billion, underscores the scale of China’s commitment to reusable launch technology and high-cadence space operations.
CASC reported revenue of 300 billion yuan, or approximately $42 billion, in 2023. The company’s plans for the Long March 10B are aggressive: it aims to launch 10 missions in 2025, with a target of 50 launches per year by 2030.
Officials said the program is central to China’s broader space ambitions, including potential crewed lunar missions and large-scale satellite constellation deployments. The drone ship ‘Haiyang 1’ was built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and is 100 meters long, equipped with dynamic positioning systems for precision landing. This vessel is expected to support the recovery and reuse of Long March 10B boosters, a capability that would lower launch costs and increase flight frequency.
Observers in the region note that CASC’s push mirrors the competitive dynamics seen in the West, where companies like SpaceX have driven down costs through reusability. However, the account indicates that China’s approach remains heavily state-directed, with CASC operating as a monopoly contractor rather than a private enterprise. Wang Xiaojun, the program manager, brings experience from the Long March 5 and Long March 7 programs — both workhorses of China’s recent space efforts.
His appointment suggests continuity in engineering leadership. The Long March 10B program, officials said, is not just a technical project but a strategic one.
For Beijing, reliable and frequent access to orbit is a matter of national prestige and economic security. The target of 50 launches per year by 2030 would place China among the world’s most active launch operators. What remains to be seen is whether CASC can meet its production and launch cadence targets without cost overruns or technical delays.
The history of large-scale state aerospace programs, in China and elsewhere, suggests that such ambitions often face hurdles. For now, the Long March 10B represents one of the most closely watched developments in global spaceflight.
With billions already committed and a clear roadmap through the end of the decade, the program is set to reshape the competitive landscape.
