Chinese Startups Aim to Surpass SpaceX by 2030 Amidst Government Support

Chinese startups are accelerating their efforts to compete with SpaceX in the global space race, backed by President Xi Jinping's support. At least six reusable Chinese rockets are expected to launch this year, marking a turning point for China's commercial space sector. LandSpace Technology was the first to launch a rocket powered by liquid oxygen and methane in 2023. Deep Blue Aerospace plans to test a reusable booster this year, targeting space tourism flights by 2027 with tickets priced over $100,000. China has been encouraging private companies to enter the space sector since 2014. China is also developing competitors to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet network, named Guowang and Thousand Sails. In February, President Xi emphasized the need for a competitive private sector to foster growth and innovation, extending this strategy to the space industry.