A four-day demand-matching event themed "Production-Demand Connection, Rocket-Satellite Synergy" kicked off on August 26 at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Commercial Rocket Co., Ltd., using an open-competition model to connect industry needs with innovation. As part of the 2026 "Government Open Month" series, the event targets practical technical challenges in the commercial space industry, aiming to bridge innovation resources with sector demands through a "list-and-claim" approach.
The event opened with a "demand release plus capability presentation" format. On day one, Minhang District introduced its "Rocket Star City" construction blueprint and supporting policies, while two leading enterprises, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Commercial Rocket Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Aerospace Space Technology Co., Ltd., collectively unveiled 18 technical demands. From August 26 to 29, 55 institutions from universities, research institutes, and enterprises nationwide will deliver 74 proposed solutions through sequential presentations, engaging directly with the demand-side teams.
How demanding are these listed challenges? An analysis of the roster shows the demands span key commercial space sectors, including reusable rockets, satellite mass production, advanced aerospace materials, core components, and on-orbit services. From design and manufacturing to launch operations and recovery, each item targets real-world hurdles faced on the front lines of the industry. On the opening day, multiple universities, research bodies, and tech firms took the stage to present their technical approaches and field questions from expert panels. With demand-sides posing the problems and solution-sides responding, diverse technical pathways collided through face-to-face exchanges.
The first presentation centered on "AI-driven intelligent design and model conversion technology for launch vehicle structural components," with Xi'an Zhongke Tianta Technology Co., Ltd. bringing its independently developed aerospace vertical large model to tackle the task. A company representative noted that traditional design relies on expert judgment, with iterative simulation checks consuming significant time, while cross-software model transfers often lead to parameter loss and rework. The team has now built a prototype system and plans to supplement real-world test data and refine process constraints to push the technology into rocket development applications.
Directly exposing enterprise bottlenecks and seeking answers from universities, research institutes, and tech firms is the hallmark of this open-competition mechanism. Wang Wei, director of the science and technology management office at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Commercial Rocket Co., Ltd., which issued the demand list, explained that all needs stem from genuine engineering issues in R&D, manufacturing, and launch applications. By publicly posting the list, the process shifts from "assigning a specific doer" to "using whichever solution works," drawing broader innovation participation in commercial space development.
Yet moving from "a claim being filed" to actual technology deployment requires passing multiple checks. Demand-sides not only evaluate whether proposals meet hard targets such as performance, weight, cost, and delivery timelines, but also assess team testing foundations, mass-production capabilities, and risk response plans. Wang Zijun, deputy general manager of Shanghai Aerospace Space Technology Co., Ltd., pointed out that many proposed technologies remain at the laboratory stage, requiring subsequent steps including solution alignment, ground tests, engineering iteration, system integration, and in-orbit validation before they can be approved for supply chain batch use.
Notably, this nationwide hunt for problem-solvers is closely tied to Minhang's push to build the "Rocket Star City." Shanghai is currently striving to become a national hub for the commercial space industry, with Minhang accelerating development of the approximately 15.3 square kilometer "Rocket Star City," including a 9.3 square kilometer core zone. The plan focuses on building a full industry chain ecosystem spanning "rockets, satellites, launch sites, and applications," further clustering rocket, satellite, and upstream-downstream supporting enterprises. A representative from the Minhang Development Zone Management Committee stated that this initiative aims not only to help enterprises overcome technical hurdles but also to channel more industrial resources into the area. Following the event, Minhang will establish a tracking mechanism for cooperation projects, offering end-to-end support across technical alignment, policy funding, testing and validation, intellectual property, and results incubation. This is designed to help more innovations find application scenarios in Minhang and accelerate commercialization, continuously strengthening the "Rocket Star City" supply chain.