The phrase "accelerate the construction of the Western Commercial Space Port" in the 2026 Sichuan Provincial Government Work Report indicates plans to build a 'station' for space tourism. In January, actor Huang Jingyu announced that he would become the first commercial space tourist from China's entertainment industry. With a ticket costing 3 million yuan, he is expected to travel to suborbital space aboard a domestically developed spacecraft in 2028. While this news sparked widespread envy, it was noted that Sichuan's industrial layout in this area has already been quietly developing.
During the 2026 Sichuan Provincial Two Sessions, space tourism was a hot topic among delegates and committee members. On February 6, based on information and suggestions gathered from the meetings, discussions centered on when the "space dream" might become a reality in Sichuan.
One participant remarked, "Huang Jingyu is already going to space—when will I get the chance? The government work report mentioned accelerating the construction of the Western Commercial Space Port. Doesn't that mean building a spaceport in Sichuan?" Another added, "Commercial spaceflight isn't like taking a flight. The technical requirements for space travel are entirely different and far more challenging."
The discussion also highlighted Liangshan Prefecture's significant role in this sector. As the location of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Xichang offers comprehensive support for the Western Commercial Space Port. The city boasts extensive infrastructure for measurement, control, communication, and satellite and rocket assembly. It also hosts an aerospace intelligent manufacturing industrial park capable of mass-producing satellites and providing rocket components. Additionally, the Panxi region's vanadium, titanium, and rare earth resources supply specialized materials for aerospace applications. A key advantage is Xichang's low-latitude, high-altitude location, which helps reduce rocket energy consumption and increase payload capacity. It was also revealed that the Xichang satellite factory is about to begin trial production.
Sichuan's strengths in commercial aerospace are further reinforced by the Chengdu-Deyang-Meishan-Ziyang urban agglomeration, which has formed a core research, development, and manufacturing cluster. Chengdu focuses on complete satellites, payloads, and data applications, hosting leading commercial aerospace companies such as Galactic Energy and Guoxing Astronautics. Deyang specializes in precision aerospace structural components, forgings, and testing, while Meishan is developing remote sensing satellite networks. Ziyang concentrates on commercial rocket assembly, with the 2022 establishment of Space Pioneer marking Sichuan's first privately funded commercial rocket project. Ziyang also features the world's first electromagnetic launch verification platform using superconducting magnetic levitation technology. Currently, the Chengdu metropolitan area is home to over 230 commercial aerospace enterprises.
Despite these advantages, challenges remain. Commercial aerospace is an extremely complex system engineering endeavor, and Sichuan faces technical bottlenecks and supply chain gaps. For instance, Ziyang's core enterprises currently number only two, primarily engaged in rocket assembly and testing. Key processes cannot be completed locally due to a lack of full-process manufacturing capabilities, limiting production capacity and technology conversion. There is also a shortage of local supporting industries, creating disconnections in the upstream and downstream supply chains.
To address these issues, provincial delegates and committee members have proposed enhancing policy and financial support to strengthen the industrial chain. Suggestions include using the Chengdu metropolitan area as a primary platform to attract orderly transfers of aerospace and supporting industries from eastern coastal regions. Ziyang's Western Aerospace Intelligent Manufacturing Valley, for example, aims to attract leading commercial rocket companies to establish regional headquarters, R&D institutions, innovation platforms, and production bases.
Another proposal involves supporting local state-owned enterprises in collaborating with provincial state-owned enterprises to establish industrial guidance funds. A "fund of funds + sub-funds" model could leverage more social capital for commercial aerospace development.
Affordability remains a concern. Even if technical hurdles are overcome, will the average person be able to afford a 3 million yuan space ticket? Technological solutions, such as Zichang's electromagnetic launch verification platform, are expected to significantly reduce launch costs while doubling payload capacity. This could enable frequent, environmentally friendly launches, potentially making space travel as affordable as a round-the-world airline ticket in the future.
Looking ahead, the path to space tourism will likely proceed step by step, beginning with suborbital flights before advancing to orbital missions. The hope is that by 2028, space travel will become accessible, allowing more people to experience the wonders of space.