China's Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket has successfully wrapped up its final assembly test in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, showcasing the nation's advancing capabilities in commercial space exploration. This achievement comes from CAS Space, the rocket's developer, as part of its strategic plan to reinforce China's position in the burgeoning space sector.

The rocket is primed for a launch scheduled for late December, equipped with the ability to deploy 11 satellites. It has also cleared the factory review, indicating its readiness for the upcoming mission.

In a significant technological advancement, the Lijian-1 Y6 has incorporated a self-developed initiator for the first time during this test. CAS Space noted that the introduction of new components has effectively reduced both the operational costs and the production timeline, making the rocket more conducive for mass production and routine launch operations.

Central to the rocket's design is a fairing with a diameter of 3.35 meters, which has been suitably riveted, sealed, and coated as part of the final assembly process.

The Lijian-1 series serves as the backbone of China's commercial space industry, boasting a high success rate along with notable reliability and cost-efficiency. Collectively, this series of rockets has successfully achieved 57 satellite launches across five separate flight missions.

CAS Space is a commercial spaceflight entity founded by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This organization plays a crucial role in driving innovation and competitiveness within China's space sector.

China's commercial space industry is witnessing unprecedented growth, as evidenced by the 67 rocket launches conducted in 2023. Of these, 13 were from private commercial ventures, with an impressive success rate of 12 missions achieving their goal of carrying rockets into orbit.

In a clear signal of the sector's importance, the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2023 classified the commercial space industry as a strategic emerging sector. This designation was reiterated in the 2024 government work report unveiled during this year's Two Sessions, which encompass the annual meetings of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies.

As a point of reference, the Lijian-1 Y5 carrier rocket previously launched with a payload of 15 satellites from Jiuquan City in Gansu Province on November 11, 2024, further exemplifying China's commitment to expanding its space exploration capabilities.