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Bloomberg • David Fickling

SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites

New analysis shows SpaceX is outpacing Chinese plans to field up to 203,000 proposed 'paper' satellites, underscoring a widening commercial and operational gap as Starlink's rapid deployments and a potential financing pivot accelerate U.S. constellation scale while China expands domestic launch capacity.

2026-02-16T01:00:31.482533-08:00

New York Times

Satellite imagery reveals China’s mountain nuclear buildup

2026-02-14T21:24:37.069391-08:00

Bloomberg

Chinese espionage campaign targeted Western aerospace know‑how to accelerate domestic aviation independence

2026-02-12T21:59:45.165877-08:00

SpaceNews.com

China tests Mengzhou in‑flight abort and Long March‑10 booster recovery, advancing 2030 crewed‑Moon push

2026-02-11T02:34:54.065105-08:00

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

October 3, 2024 - China's aviation industry in September 2024 expanded international routes, advanced the COMAC C919, and navigated competitive pressures. Read More.

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Zenk Space completes first-stage static fire of Zhihang-1 ahead of planned launch Low-profile Chinese launch startup Zenk Space has completed a first-stage static-fire test of its Zhihang-1 rocket, a key pre-launch milestone as the company prepares for a planned orbital mission. The test advances vehicle readiness and highlights rising activity among China’s emerging commercial launch firms.

2026-02-16T04:04:33.424059-08:00

Zenk Space completes first-stage static fire of Zhihang-1 ahead of planned launch

Bloomberg

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SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites New analysis shows SpaceX is outpacing Chinese plans to field up to 203,000 proposed 'paper' satellites, underscoring a widening commercial and operational gap as Starlink's rapid deployments and a potential financing pivot accelerate U.S. constellation scale while China expands domestic launch capacity.

2026-02-16T01:00:31.482533-08:00

SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites

New York Times

Satellite imagery reveals China’s mountain nuclear buildup New satellite imagery identifies expanded, secretive nuclear facilities carved into China’s mountains, indicating Beijing is accelerating its nuclear arsenal build-up just as international arms‑control guardrails weaken. The analysis signals a measurable shift in strategic posture with implications for regional deterrence and force planning.

2026-02-14T21:24:37.069391-08:00

Satellite imagery reveals China’s mountain nuclear buildup

SpaceNews.com

New book maps how China, lunar ambitions and commercial players are reshaping space A new book examines the converging forces that are remaking the space domain: China’s rapid industrial and state-backed expansion, renewed lunar ambitions and the commercialisation of orbital services. It traces how policy, capital and technology are realigning strategic competition and market opportunities across civil and military space.

2026-02-13T15:13:40.511032-08:00

New book maps how China, lunar ambitions and commercial players are reshaping space

Ars Technica

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Orbex exits as Skyrora eyes assets while China’s reusable-rocket milestone tightens SpaceX price pressure UK small-launcher Orbex has exited the market, prompting rival Skyrora to explore buying its assets. The move follows China’s successful reusable-booster test — called a ‘significant milestone’ — as SpaceX’s aggressive pricing forces a strategic rethink across commercial launch suppliers.

2026-02-13T04:10:26.399521-08:00

Orbex exits as Skyrora eyes assets while China’s reusable-rocket milestone tightens SpaceX price pressure

SpaceNews.com

iSpace raises $729M in record D++ round to accelerate reusable orbital rockets China’s iSpace secured a record D++ funding round of $729 million to accelerate development of reusable orbital rockets and expand its industrial footprint. The capital aims to scale hardware, testing and recovery capabilities as Beijing’s commercial sector pushes rapidly toward reusability.

2026-02-13T03:33:32.498552-08:00

iSpace raises $729M in record D++ round to accelerate reusable orbital rockets

Bloomberg

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Chinese espionage campaign targeted Western aerospace know‑how to accelerate domestic aviation independence Beijing ran a prolonged intelligence campaign that placed operatives inside Western aerospace networks and supply chains to acquire proprietary designs, test data and manufacturing know‑how. The effort—aimed at fast‑tracking China's independence from Western aviation technology—exposed systemic vulnerabilities across OEMs, suppliers and research partnerships.

2026-02-12T21:59:45.165877-08:00

Chinese espionage campaign targeted Western aerospace know‑how to accelerate domestic aviation independence

SpaceNews.com

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China tests Mengzhou in‑flight abort and Long March‑10 booster recovery, advancing 2030 crewed‑Moon push On Feb. 11 China conducted a low‑altitude demonstration of its Long March‑10A booster and an in‑flight abort test of the Mengzhou crewed lunar capsule, including zero‑altitude escape and splashdown recovery — a combined validation of crew‑safety and reusable‑rocket tech feeding Beijing’s 2030 Moon ambitions.

2026-02-11T02:34:54.065105-08:00

China tests Mengzhou in‑flight abort and Long March‑10 booster recovery, advancing 2030 crewed‑Moon push

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China News

SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites

Satellite imagery reveals China’s mountain nuclear buildup

Chinese espionage campaign targeted Western aerospace know‑how to accelerate domestic aviation independence

China tests Mengzhou in‑flight abort and Long March‑10 booster recovery, advancing 2030 crewed‑Moon push

Hype Analysis

China's Aviation Industry in September 2024: Key Developments and Trends

News Timeline