Aero & Space Weekly News Round-Up - Ep.4: CCAF 2020 Special Edition (Part 1 of 2)
Hi there! This week, Dongfang Hour brings you a focus on the 6th Annual China Commercial Aerospace Forum (CCAF), held last week in Wuhan and hosted by CASIC.
This week we discuss updates on CASIC's projects, and next week we will summarize other commercial space announcements.
1) Context of CCAF/CASIC/Wuhan
The Chinese space industry is commercializing, and CASIC is playing a role in this process. In CASIC’s quest to commercialize space, the company has enrolled the Hubei Government as an ally, with the province (and its capital, Wuhan), playing host to CASIC’s Wuhan Aerospace Industrial Base (WAIB), a multi-billion USD initiative that includes manufacturing facilities for rockets and satellites. Each year at the CCAF, CASIC provides updates on these projects.
2) Update on CASIC’s constellations
Xingyun is being developed by CASIC's subsidiary, LEOBit Technologies. The project is based in Wuhan, and aims to build a constellation to connect CASIC’s burgeoning industrial IoT infrastructure.
During the forum, LEOBit's Deputy GM Mr. DU Li presented a useful reminder of Xingyun’s timeline. It will be deployed in 3 steps: alpha (test phase) - beta (partial deployment, 12 satellites) - gamma (global coverage, 80 satellites), in respectively 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Other points of interest from LEOBit's keynote included:
Hongyun vice GM Mr. Wang Chong provided an update on the broadband constellation. Most interesting was the emphasis on the concept of “通导遥一体化”, or the integration of comms, satnav, and EO. Wang also showed information from a battery of tests conducted using the Hongyun satellite. Interestingly, while there has been increased speculation within China about consolidation among the state-owned constellations, there was no mention of larger constellations (like the recently-leaked GW).
3) Updates on CASIC’s launchers
Expace reiterated plans for production of ~50 rockets per year at WAIB by an undefined timeline. The company mentioned several times in an interview the phrase “批量化”, “batch production”, which is distinct from mass production (大批量话), noting that Expace has achieved 批量化 in many of their processes. To now, Expace has been one of the more successful “commercial” launch companies in China.
4) Other News
China and Ukraine Deal
China and Ukraine sign a long-term cooperation agreement for space, encompassing 69 projects totaling >$70M over the period of 2021-2025. The projects include a joint space research laboratory and stronger information exchanges between the two countries.
CGWIC BRI Satcom Report
Earlier this week, CGWIC released a report (borrowing from Euroconsult data with proper and very kind citation) about opportunities for communications satellites in Belt and Road regions. An interesting report for those interested in learning more about BRI satcom opportunities.
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