China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

What China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation does

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is a central state-owned enterprise and the principal contractor of China's space and strategic missile programs, headquartered in Beijing and operating through 8 R&D and production complexes and 11 specialized companies. Its product portfolio spans the Long March launch vehicle family (650+ flights to date, with payload capacities up to 25,000 kg to LEO via Long March 5), the BeiDou navigation constellation, the Gaofen high-resolution Earth-observation system, the Shenzhou/Tianzhou crewed and cargo spacecraft supporting the Tiangong space station, and the Chang'e lunar exploration program. Defense products include intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles, the HQ-9/HQ-19 air defense systems, and military UAVs exported to over 30 countries.

CASC generates revenue primarily through government-to-government contracts with the People's Liberation Army, the China Manned Space Agency, and the China National Space Administration, supplemented by commercial satellite launches, international satellite deliveries, satellite operations services, and emerging consumer and commercial lines. Its revenue streams combine one-time license/hardware sales (launch vehicles, satellites, missiles), subscription-based satellite operations, and per-transaction services such as the newly announced suborbital space tourism offering at approximately US$140,534 per ticket. Recent commercial expansion includes the Qianfan and Guowang megaconstellation deployment for broadband internet, a five-year plan for gigawatt-class space-based AI data centers, and a two-seat eVTOL prototype — all leveraging CASC's reusable rocket, composite structures, and avionics IP developed for core space programs.

The company's go-to-market blends direct enterprise sales for defense with international commercial launch services brokered through China Great Wall Industry Corporation, and it is deepening ties with 60+ partner countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Strategic differentiation rests on its monopoly position as China's sole manufacturer of intercontinental nuclear missiles and only broadcast satellite operator, a deep talent bench (31 academicians, 100+ national experts), and full vertical integration from propulsion and composites to launch, in-orbit operations, and ground segment.

Name

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Legal name

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Website

https://english.spacechina.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

CASC is a Chinese state-owned aerospace prime and the sole manufacturer of China's intercontinental nuclear missiles, delivering launch vehicles, satellites, crewed spacecraft, and defense systems to the PLA, Chinese space agencies, and international customers across 60+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace and Defense Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)

Keywords

• Space launch vehicles
• Satellite systems
• Defense missile systems
• Manned spacecraft
• Space tourism services

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Space Products Manufacturing and Launch Services: Research, design, manufacture, test and launch of space products including launch vehicles, satellites, manned spaceship, cargo spaceship, deep space explorer and space station. Primary revenue stream from government and commercial launch contracts.
2. Strategic and Tactical Missile Systems: As the only manufacturer of intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles in China and provider of conventional missiles, UAVs and defense equipment. Revenue from defense procurement contracts.
3. Satellite and Ground Operation Services: CASC is the only broadcast and communications satellite operator in China. Provides satellite operations, data services, and ground segment services to commercial and government customers.
4. Space Technology Applications: Satellite applications, information technology, new energy and materials, special space technology applications, and space biology for civilian and commercial use.
5. International Space Commercial Services: Commercial satellite launch services, satellite design, manufacture and in-orbit delivery, and international cooperation programs with space organizations globally.
6. Space Tourism: Suborbital space tourism flights offered to private passengers at approximately $140,534 per ticket, marking new commercial venture in emerging space tourism market.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CASC researches, designs, manufactures, tests, and launches space products including the Long March launch vehicle family, satellites (communications, navigation, remote sensing, scientific), manned spaceships (Shenzhou), cargo spaceships (Tianzhou), deep space probes, and the Tiangong space station. It is also the sole manufacturer of China's intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles and provider of conventional missiles, UAVs, and air defense systems. Additionally, CASC delivers commercial satellite launch services, satellite operations, and ground segment services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Product overview

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is a large state-owned enterprise group offering a comprehensive portfolio of aerospace products and services. The portfolio includes the Long March launch vehicle family (over 650 flights, capable of 500 kg to 25,000 kg payloads to LEO), satellite systems (communications, navigation via BeiDou with 50 satellites, remote sensing via Gaofen/High-Resolution Earth Observation, and scientific satellites), manned spaceflight capabilities (Shenzhou crewed spacecraft and Tianzhou cargo spacecraft for the Tiangong Space Station), lunar exploration (Chang'e program), and LEO broadband internet constellations (Qianfan with 200+ satellites, Guowang with 168+ satellites). Defense systems include strategic nuclear missiles, HQ-9/19 air defense systems, and military UAVs (CH, WS, FT series). CASC also offers commercial launch services, space-based data infrastructure, and emerging eVTOL aircraft. The company operates through 8 R&D complexes and 11 specialized companies, with facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xi'an, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Long March Launch Vehicle Family
• Satellite Systems
• Shenzhou Manned Spacecraft
• Tianzhou Cargo Spacecraft
• BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
• Chang'e Lunar Exploration Program
• High-Resolution Earth Observation System (Gaofen)
• Tiangong Space Station
• Strategic Nuclear Missiles
• HQ-9 Air Defense System
• HQ-19 Air Defense System
• Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
• Commercial Space Launch Services
• Commercial Space Tourism Program
• CASC eVTOL Aircraft
• Qianfan Constellation (LEO Broadband Internet)
• Guowang Constellation (National Broadband Megaconstellation)

Quantifiable outcome

• 650+ successful Long March rocket flights
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Pakistan Space AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Pakistan and China signed multi-launch service agreement with China Great Wall Industry Corporation for PRSC-EO3 satellite launch. Pakistani astronaut candidates arrived in Beijing for training as part of broader moon exploration collaboration. Pakistani astronaut will participate in short-term flight mission as payload specialist aboard China's space station.
• Namibia GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Namibia received China-aided satellite ground data receiving station enabling Namibia to directly receive and process remote-sensing data from satellites including China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite. Project includes capacity-building with 14 Namibians trained to operate the station.
• CAS Space International Customers (UAE, Egypt, Nepal)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025CAS Space demonstrated international reach by launching satellites for United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Nepal using its Kinetica-1/Lijian-1 rocket from China, expanding commercial space cooperation globally.
• Pakistan (Astronaut Training Agreement)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025China and Pakistan signed agreement on selection and training of astronauts. Pakistani astronaut will participate in a short-term flight mission as a payload specialist conducting scientific experiments aboard China's space station.
• International Space Partners (60+ countries)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina has expanded international space ties with over 60 countries engaging with Chinese space agencies and private firms across Africa, Latin America, and other regions, utilizing low-cost, turnkey solutions for commercial space sector advancement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SpaceX: SpaceX is the most direct global competitor to CASC in launch services, with comparable scale on Falcon 9/Heavy and reusable technology, and operates the Starlink megaconstellation that directly competes with CASC-launched Guowang/Qianfan. Closest analog by mission profile and customer mix.
• United Launch Alliance (ULA): ULA is the US government-affiliated launch services joint venture (Lockheed Martin/Boeing) that, like CASC, primarily serves national security and government space missions. Highly comparable as a flagship government-aligned launch provider, though ULA lacks CASC's satellite manufacturing breadth.
• Arianespace: Arianespace provides commercial launch services globally (Ariane 6, Vega) and competes directly with CASC for international commercial and government satellite launch contracts, particularly for non-aligned and Belt-and-Road-adjacent customers.
• RSC Energia (Roscosmos): RSC Energia is the Russian state-owned flagship space manufacturer comparable to CASC in scope (launch vehicles, manned spacecraft, satellites) and in its government-tied structure, representing the closest state-aligned competitor historically.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): ISRO is a government space agency with comparable end-to-end capabilities in launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV), satellite manufacturing, and lunar exploration (Chandrayaan) that competes with CASC for emerging-market launch customers and demonstrates similar sovereign-space-program economics.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactures Japan's flagship H-IIA/IIIA launch vehicles and is the prime contractor for Japanese space systems, making it a comparable national flagship launch and satellite manufacturer serving both government and select commercial customers.

Broad incumbents

• Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman is a large US defense prime with overlapping space launch (Pegasus/Minotaur), satellite manufacturing, and strategic missile businesses that mirror CASC's defense and space portfolio across ICBM, EO, and launch segments.
• Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin's Space division manufactures satellites, missile defense systems, and has historical launch involvement comparable to CASC's defense and space systems integration. Both serve as flagship government-aligned aerospace primes.
• Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Boeing's defense and space segment, including its historical role with ULA and satellite programs, makes it a broad comparable to CASC across launch services, manned spaceflight history, and defense systems.

Emerging players

• Rocket Lab: Rocket Lab is an emerging commercial launch provider with the Electron and Neutron rockets serving the small-to-medium LEO segment where CASC's commercial arm (CAS Space) also operates, representing a partial but growing competitive overlap in commercial constellations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments3 records

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Frequently asked questions about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation