Hainan Commercial Spaceport Phase II Construction Complete

Civil construction has been completed for Phase II of the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan Province, marking a significant step forward for China’s commercial space infrastructure, according to Xinhua News Agency. The project has now transitioned into equipment testing and integrated training, with full operational capability targeted by the end of 2026.

The expansion adds two new liquid rocket launch pads — designated No. 3 and No. 4 — as well as rocket assembly and testing buildings, satellite fueling facilities, and the Gusong space monitoring and tracking station. Once complete, the site will operate in a “two-phase, four-pad” configuration capable of supporting more than 60 launches annually.

Background: China’s First Commercial Spaceport

The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, located within the Wenchang International Aerospace City, is China’s first dedicated commercial space launch base. Phase I set a rapid construction pace, completing in just 878 days from July 2022 to June 2024. Its first launch occurred on November 30, 2024, carrying the Long March 12 rocket, followed by the first launch from its No. 1 pad on March 12, 2025, which deployed 18 satellites aboard a Long March 8.

By August 2025, Phase I achieved a record of two successful launches within five days, demonstrating the site’s growing operational capacity, as reported by Global Times via WAM.

Phase II: Faster Build, Greater Capacity

Phase II broke ground on January 25, 2025, and completed its civil construction in approximately 18 months — notably faster than Phase I’s timeline. According to IT之家, the project incorporated lessons learned from Phase I, including optimized drainage channel excavation that accelerated pre-equipment room construction by six months, and structural design improvements that reduced construction difficulty and costs.

The launch zone spans approximately 73.3 hectares, with the full Phase II project covering around 140 hectares. When operational, Phase II alone will add 30 to 40 launches per year. Combined with Phase I, the Hainan spaceport will achieve over 60 annual launches, positioning it among the world’s most active orbital launch sites.

Yang Tianliang, Chairman of Hainan International Commercial Space Launch Co., Ltd., described the broader vision: “The launch site actually solves the problem of providing a means to enter space. In the future, it will offer everyone more opportunities to access space, enabling many business forms and work in space that we cannot currently imagine.”

Strategic Context: China’s Space Industry at an Inflection Point

The Phase II expansion arrives at a pivotal moment for China’s commercial space sector. As CGTN reported on July 11, the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) has designated space industry development as a key national priority.

China’s satellite deployment ambitions are immense. Under the Qianfan and GW constellation roadmaps, the country aims to deploy up to 50,000 satellites in the long term — nearly 40 times its current orbital fleet of approximately 1,333 satellites as of Q1 2026. Achieving this goal will require an estimated 1,400 launches, making high-frequency launch capacity essential.

China has also made strides in reusable rocket technology. On July 10, 2026, the Long March 10B achieved the world’s first net-based rocket recovery at the Hainan site, making China the second country after the United States to master heavy-lift reusable rocket technology. Reusable rockets are expected to reduce launch costs by 40 to 50 percent, comparable to SpaceX Falcon 9 economics, bringing China’s cost per kilogram down from approximately $4,000 in 2025.

Economic and Industry Impact

The commercial space sector is attracting significant market interest. Private rocket developers LandSpace and CAS Space have both advanced IPO applications on the STAR Market, competing to become the “first commercial space stock.” Following the Long March 10B’s successful recovery, more than 50 commercial aerospace stocks hit their daily 10 percent upside limit, reflecting mounting bullish sentiment in the sector.

Satellite manufacturing costs have also dropped significantly through modular design innovations, further accelerating the industry’s trajectory toward commercial viability.

What’s Next for Hainan Spaceport

Over the coming months, the Phase II project will proceed through equipment installation and commissioning, targeted for approximately September 2026. Full system integration and launch capability is expected by December 2026, according to project timelines reported by Phoenix News.

The expanded spaceport will serve as a critical asset for deploying China’s satellite megaconstellations and supporting the country’s broader ambitions in low-Earth orbit. With its “two-phase, four-pad” configuration and growing ecosystem of private rocket developers, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site is positioned to become a cornerstone of China’s rapidly maturing commercial space industry.