Chinese Commercial Space Launchers: Historical Perspective; Policy Framework

Abstract

The topic of Chinese commercial space has been the subject of a growing number of publications in English since the beginning of the decade, which raises the necessity of clarifying the concept and policy framework. This article focuses on the case of launcher industry and launch services. A historical review allows to underline the existence of two waves in the country's commercial space launch activities, which should be distinguished: an “old commercial space” or commercialization from the 1980s, mainly concerning state-owned enterprises; and a “new commercial space” from the middle of the decade 2010, seeking to involve capital and companies not stemming from the central state. This evolution is reflected in the selection of three primary texts for which clarification is given in terms of nature, enacting bodies, organization, content, and relevance. Chinese commercial launch policy framework shows its integration into broader economic concerns at two points in time in a specific historical context: encouragement of the national military–industrial conglomerate to engage in profit-making activities – via international marketing of Long March launch services –in the first case and in the second case, invitation of non–central state and private investors and entrepreneurs to participate in innovation priority fields. As means to implement the latter objectives, several policy instruments are identified: definition of the desired activity and clarification of organs in charge, authorization system, and economic incentives.