China Announces Plan for 5th Space Launch Center... "Will Launch 1,000 Satellites Next Year"

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[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As China announces plans to build its fifth space launch site, competition with the United States in space is expected to intensify further. While the Chinese government has revealed plans to launch about 1,000 satellites next year, concerns are emerging that local governments rushing into the space industry may risk causing local fiscal instability.

According to foreign media including China's state-run Global Times on the 8th, the government of Zhejiang Province in southeastern China announced that it will build a space launch center in Ningbo City and plans to invest 20 billion yuan (approximately 3.41 trillion KRW) over the next five years. If constructed, this facility will become China's fifth space launch site. China already has four launch sites: Taiyuan in Shanxi Province in the northeast, Jiuquan in Gansu Province in the northwest, Xichang in Sichuan Province in the southwest, and Wenchang in Hainan Province at the southernmost point.

The reason China is adding more launch sites is interpreted as a measure to launch a massive number of satellites amid fierce space competition with the United States. According to the Global Times, the Chinese government plans to launch about 1,000 low Earth orbit satellites next year. With plans for satellite network construction, a manned lunar south pole base, Mars exploration, and various other 'space rise' projects, many rockets are expected to be launched, which will likely increase the number of launch sites.

In addition to the Zhejiang government, Shandong and Shanxi provinces are also reportedly planning to establish space launch sites. In particular, Haiyang City in Shandong Province announced plans last December to build a solid rocket production base, making the construction of a launch site a strong possibility, according to the Global Times.

However, Chinese experts warn that if local governments build launch sites indiscriminately amid the space industry boom, it could negatively impact local finances. Hong Jicheng, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Electronic Engineering, told the Global Times, "The new large rockets under development in China can carry up to 60 satellites at once, so existing launch sites can handle more than 1,000 satellites." He added, "It may be sufficient to add launch pads to existing sites rather than building entirely new facilities, so local governments should be cautious in approving satellite base construction plans."