South China's Hainan Province is gearing up to establish a cutting-edge satellite manufacturing facility as the region's southernmost rocket center anticipates a surge in commercial launches.
The planned factory will operate production lines akin to those in automobile manufacturing, significantly lowering the costs associated with space projects and propelling China's commercial space industry forward.
\"The annual production is expected to reach 1,000 satellites,\" said Liu Botao, chief engineer of fixed assets construction at the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft Environment Engineering.
Experts from national aerospace institutes and commercial space companies convened in Hainan to finalize the facility's design, ensuring it meets the demands of an increasing number of commercial launches in the future.
Traditionally, satellites have been manufactured individually for specific purposes, leading to high costs for one-off projects. The new factory aims to streamline this process, enabling private companies to deploy satellites into space more affordably.
Additionally, the factory's proximity to launch pads in northeastern Hainan's Wenchang City will further reduce transportation expenses.
\"In the past, the satellites were manufactured all over the country and then shipped to Hainan,\" explained Zhang Chenghao, a director at the administration bureau of Wenchang International Aerospace City. \"With the help of the factory, we will be able to launch the satellites once they are built.\"
Reference(s):
China to build factory in Hainan that makes 1,000 satellites a year
cgtn.com
