The first Shanghai Commercial Aerospace Conference and Exhibition is scheduled to take place from March 12 to March 14, 2026. The event will showcase commercial launch vehicles and services, satellite technology and applications, ground equipment and control systems, as well as space applications and supporting services. The main forum, to be held on March 12, will feature keynote speeches by leading scientists including Academicians Li Deren, Wang Jianyu, and Tong Xiaohua. They will address strategic topics such as civil-military integration, aerospace intelligence, and China's space power ambitions, along with the current status, opportunities, and challenges in commercial spaceflight.
Six specialized sub-forums will run concurrently on March 13, covering commercial rockets and launch services, commercial satellites and space applications, industrial investment and insurance, hyperspectral imaging innovation, deep space exploration with AI applications, and advanced measurement and control technologies. These sessions will delve into technological breakthroughs and industrial development pathways across various sectors.
The exhibition will host over 300 companies across the industrial chain, presenting a comprehensive ecosystem from launch vehicles and satellite manufacturing to core subsystems, high-end components, specialty materials, and ground control services. Leading enterprises such as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Commercial Rocket Co., Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, and i-Space are among the confirmed participants.
China's commercial space industry is accelerating rapidly. Following its mention in the 2025 Government Work Report, the sector is expected to focus further on deep space exploration, satellite internet, and reusable rockets in 2026. According to forecasts, the industry will enter a golden development period from 2025 to 2030, with the market size projected to reach RMB 8 trillion by 2030.
The National Bureau of Statistics' 2025 report revealed that China conducted 92 space launches during the year, 50 of which were commercial missions, accounting for more than half of the total. Commercial spaceflight has become a major driver of launch growth. Notable achievements include the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission and successful orbital insertions by the Zhuque-3 and Long March 12A reusable rockets.
In late December 2025, China submitted applications to the International Telecommunication Union for frequency and orbital resources for 203,000 new satellites across 14 constellations, including low and medium Earth orbit satellites. This represents the country's largest such filing to date. Under international "first-come, first-served" rules, a certain proportion of satellites must be launched within a specified period, creating urgency for advancements in rocket capacity, satellite production, and reusable technology.
Analysts note that the first half of 2026 will see a concentrated period of inaugural rocket launches in China, with policy, industry, and capital factors aligning. Key developments include the Zhuque-3's planned second-quarter recovery test and potential reuse flight attempt in the fourth quarter. Several other rockets are also scheduled for maiden flights in the first half of the year.
The space data center sector is gaining traction, with low Earth orbit data centers emerging as a new strategic option for tech companies. Private rocket firms are expected to conduct concentrated test launches by year-end, leading to increased volume next year. Intensifying global competition for orbital slots and spectrum resources is accelerating launch schedules worldwide.
China's space industry is on a fast track, poised to create a multi-trillion-yuan market and bring significant opportunities across the supply chain. Key segments to watch include satellite manufacturing, rocket launches, and ground equipment.
Related concept stocks: - GOLDWIND (02208): Its affiliate Blue Arrow Aerospace has filed for a STAR Market IPO. GOLDWIND holds an 8.3% stake in the company, which successfully launched the world's first liquid methane-fueled rocket to orbit in 2023. - SHANGHAI FUDAN (01385): A leading domestic developer of high-end FPGA chips, which are standard components in space satellites. Demand from commercial space companies could drive growth in this segment. - CIMC ENRIC (03899): Focuses on cryogenic and high-pressure storage, transportation, and refueling equipment for commercial space, leveraging its expertise in energy equipment to supply propulsion systems for rocket launches. - APT SATELLITE (01045): A subsidiary of China Satcom, currently operating multiple satellites and involved in joint ventures for additional satellite operations. - DRINDA (02865): Has acquired a satellite manufacturing company and is building an integrated space energy and satellite production chain, with plans for a smart satellite R&D facility capable of producing hundreds of satellites annually. The company is also exploring CPI film applications for space-based solar power.