Interspace Explore (i-Space, Interstellar Glory, Beijing Interstellar Development Technology)

A Chinese startup is aiming to developing spacecraft capable of supplying China’s space station, with a first small demonstration launch set for 2022.

Created: 2021-08-14

Updated: 2024-02-29

Company - Interspace Explore (i-Space, Interstellar Glory, Beijing Interstellar Development Technology)

Founded
Country: 2016; China

Product/Service - ZengZhang

Classification: Cargo Transportation & Landers

Category: Transport Service (Re-Entry)
Microgravity Flight Service (Reusable Satellite)
Transport Service (Earth-LEO)

Fields: Space Capsule

Status: Development

First launch: 2024

Beijing-based InterSpace Explore signed a with Chinese private launch firm Galactic Energy for launch of the Zengzhang-1 demonstration returnable satellite on a Ceres-1 solid rocket in 2022.

Interspace Explore, full name Beijing Interstellar Development Technology Co., Ltd., raised tens of millions of Chinese yuan (¥6.48 per dollar) from investment firm Innoangel Fund.

The Zenghang-1 (Growth-1) satellite will have a launch mass of around 350 kilograms and return a payload of more than 100 kilograms, according to Chinese media reports.

Interspace Explore founder Fu Shiming, a former employee of state-owned spacecraft maker China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and a member of the Tiangong-2 space lab project, said at a press conference that spacecraft are essential to human use of space resources and hold huge commercial and military value.

Status Comment / Notes

Returnable satellite has not yet been launched as of early 2024.

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