The unveiling ceremony of the Innovation Research Institute of CAS Space was held in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, on May 22nd. As a cutting-edge innovation platform established by CAS Space to develop commercial aerospace and the space economy, the institute will accelerate the growth of future space industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Centered on space manufacturing, the institute focuses on the needs of future industries such as space biomedicine, high-performance semiconductors, and advanced materials. It primarily focuses on three core directions, which are space manufacturing, reusable launch vehicles, and novel power products. Concurrently, the institute will establish specialized platforms for suborbital microgravity experiments, orbital manufacturing, and many other purposes, striving to build a full-chain space manufacturing capability that covers launch, in-orbit production, return, and practical application.

Relying on the integrated advantages of scientific innovation, manufacturing, international cooperation, and industrial capital in the GBA, the institute will collaborate with universities, scientific research institutions, and leading enterprises across various fields. They will join hands to conduct aerospace equipment development, space experimental validation, and industrialization exploration, creating an open innovation platform connecting aerospace engineering with future industries.

Currently, CAS Space is deepening its roots in Guangzhou, creating a collaborative aerospace industry cluster across Huangpu, Nansha, and Conghua districts. Specifically, Huangpu District hosts the corporate headquarters and the Innovation Research Institute, with plans to build mass-production bases for liquid-propellant rocket engines, and reusable launch vehicles to establish a benchmark for high-end intelligent manufacturing in commercial aerospace. The production line for its Kinecore Engines can achieve an annual capacity of 300 units, laying a solid foundation for the industrialization of large reusable rockets. Meanwhile, the production line for the Li Hong Spacecraft can meet the demands of high-frequency, low-cost space access, forming an integrated research-and-production model with the Institute.

In January 2026, the Li Hong-1 Spacecraft (PH-1) completed its maiden flight, achieving engineering validation for space manufacturing. Li Hong-2 Reusable Spacecraft (PH-2), designed for space experiments and space tourism, is scheduled for its maiden flight by the end of the year and is capable of a 100-kilometer suborbital recovery. Li Hong-3 Spacecraft (PH-3), which can operate in orbit over the long term, is expected to make its maiden flight in 2028 to provide continuous support for high-precision space manufacturing and scientific testing tasks.

中科宇航创新研究院落户广州黄埔

5月22日，中科宇航创新研究院揭牌仪式在广州黄埔区举行。该研究院是中科宇航布局商业航天与太空经济的前沿创新平台，将助力粤港澳大湾区太空未来产业提速发展。

研究院以太空制造为核心牵引，聚焦太空生物医药、高端半导体、先进材料等未来产业需求，重点布局太空制造、可重复使用天地往返运输系统、新型动力产品三大核心方向。同时将搭建亚轨道微重力实验、轨道级太空制造等专业平台，全力构建“上得去、做得成、回得来、用得上”的太空制造全链条能力。

依托粤港澳大湾区科创、制造、国际合作、产业资本四位一体融合优势，研究院将联动高校、科研机构及各领域龙头企业，开展航天装备研制、空间实验验证与产业化探索，搭建航天工程与未来产业对接的开放式创新平台。

目前，中科宇航深耕广州，在黄埔、南沙、从化打造协同发展的航天产业集群。其中黄埔区落地企业总部与创新研究院，还规划建设液体发动机、可重复使用运载器批产基地，打造商业航天高端智能制造标杆。其力擎系列发动机生产线可达年产300台产能，为大型可重复使用火箭产业化筑牢基础；力鸿系列运载器生产线可满足高频次、低成本太空访问需求，与研究院形成“研产一体”模式。

2026年1月，力鸿一号运载器完成首飞，实现太空制造工程验证。据悉，面向太空实验与太空旅游的力鸿二号计划年底首飞，可实现百公里级回收；可长期在轨作业的力鸿三号预计2028年首飞，将持续支撑高精度太空制造与科学试验任务。

文｜记者 卢佳圳 通讯员 许婉
图｜李剑锋
翻译｜徐芷晴
审校｜柯妃娟