A major milestone just launched in Wenchang: China’s first dedicated factory for reusable rockets is now complete.
Beijing-based space startup iSpace (Interstellar Glory) has finished Phase I of its new assembly, integration, test, and reuse (AITR) facility in Wenchang International Aerospace City. The plant is designed to support full-cycle production of reusable launch vehicles, handling assembly, testing, and refurbishment all under one roof.
The goal: faster turnaround times and lower launch costs.
The facility covers 28,800 square meters and is built with Hainan’s tropical climate in mind. Its typhoon-rated structure ensures operations can continue year-round, critical for keeping up production schedules in a coastal environment.
According to iSpace chairman Peng Xiaobo, the factory will “significantly lift” the company’s output capacity and push forward its reusable rocket ambitions. The site also positions iSpace to tap into Wenchang’s low-latitude launch advantages, maritime recovery routes, and the pro-business environment of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
The company’s first reusable orbital rocket, the Hyperbola-3, is expected to enter the facility for final assembly and integrated testing in Q4 2025. Full-scale ground rehearsals are planned by year’s end, leading up to its first orbital launch and ocean recovery mission.
Local officials are calling the factory a catalyst for Wenchang’s commercial space ecosystem. Beyond rocket production, the site is expected to attract top-tier talent, advanced aerospace technologies, and fresh capital, solidifying Hainan’s role in the future of China’s space sector.
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