Chongqing - Western (Chongqing) Science City is making rapid strides in aerospace and aviation manufacturing, with breakthroughs in satellite propulsion systems and commercial aircraft engine maintenance, local media reported recently.

CHONGQING-MADE SATELLITE PROPULSION SYSTEM

On August 4 in Wenchang City, Hainan province, the "Low Orbit 07 Group" satellites of China's satellite internet project successfully entered orbit. They are equipped with an electric propulsion system developed by Xingchen Space (Chongqing) Power System, based in Western (Chongqing) Science City in China's Chongqing.

The Xingchen Space (Chongqing) Power System product is based in the Chongqing Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. (Photo/Xingchen Space (Chongqing) Power System)

Xingchen Space's products span multiple space propulsion technologies. General manager Sun Tao explained that, compared to chemical propulsion, which is powerful but short-lived like a sprinter, electric propulsion is more like a long-distance runner, providing continuous power for satellite attitude control.

Although full capacity has yet to be reached, Xingchen Space has invested over 20 million yuan ($2.79 million). Sun cited robust market prospects, noting satellite demand is expected to grow sharply. 

Industry forecasts project annual demand rising from around 100 units this year to 200-300 next year, and 1,000 the year after. Given a typical 10-year design life, with many replaced after about five years, the domestic market could see 7,000-8,000 launches annually within each cycle, with long-term demand for around 40,000 low and very-low orbit satellites.

AIRCRAFT ENGINE MAINTENANCE CAPABILITY

Ruihang (Chongqing) Aviation Engine Maintenance has established operations in aviation, making Chongqing the seventh city in China with complete commercial aircraft engine maintenance capability. With a planned total investment of 3.8 billion yuan over 10 years, the project is expected to achieve annual output in the tens of billions by around 2030.

An engineer at Ruihang Aviation Engine Maintenance works on a commercial aircraft engine. (Photo/Lei Jian)

Ruihang's vice president, Zhang Jianli, emphasized domestic cost advantages. Sending a CFM56 engine (one of the engines they maintain) overseas can incur sea freight costs of about 300,000 yuan, with air freight at least four times more. Factoring in rental fees of $4,000 per day during transit, domestic repairs can save roughly 800,000 yuan per engine.

China's civil aviation maintenance market reached 42 billion yuan in 2024, up 9.2% year over year. Engine overhaul accounted for 22 billion yuan, growing 11.5% annually. Zhang noted that with China's C919 large passenger aircraft entering service, domestic engine maintenance demand will rise further.

Last year, Chongqing introduced an action plan for the high-quality development of the aerospace information industry led by satellite internet, offering incentives for land use, funding, talent, and promotion.

Experts cite Chongqing's industrial base as a key factor in attracting aerospace enterprises. Deng Tao, executive vice president of the Green Aviation Technology Research Institute at Chongqing Jiaotong University, said the aerospace information industry is high-end manufacturing, and strong manufacturing regions like Chongqing are better positioned to develop it.

Liu Jingnan, a Chinese Academy of Engineering member, added that Chongqing's shift from traditional to intelligent manufacturing requires support from the aerospace information industry. He said the city's applications and scenarios can be promoted and replicated nationwide, serving as a demonstration for other regions.

Deng noted that Chongqing's "33618" modern manufacturing cluster strategy links satellite internet with related industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, electronics, and advanced materials, providing additional application scenarios to accelerate growth.