SpaceX's Starlink satellite count has officially exceeded 10,000 satellites; commercial aerospace concept continues to rise; Xitest testing 20cm daily limit up

(Source: Caixin)

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, commercial spaceflight will become an important engine for promoting new quality productivity and high-quality technological development within the country.

On March 18, commercial space concepts continued to rise during trading, with Xitest Testing (301306.SZ) hitting the 20-cent limit-up. Previously, Zai Sheng Technology (603601.SH) and Shunhao Co., Ltd. (002565.SZ) also hit the limit-up, while Aerospace Electronics (002025.SZ) reached the daily limit. Guanglian Aerospace (300900.SZ), Dianke Lantian (688818.SH), Aerospace Development, and Chaojie Co., Ltd. (301005.SZ) followed suit.

According to industry news, well-known analyst Soyer Merritt stated that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite count has officially surpassed 10,000 satellites.

The 2026 government work report explicitly listed aerospace as a new pillar industry of the country for the first time and specifically emphasized accelerating the development of satellite internet. The 14th Five-Year Plan outline also included building a strong aerospace nation for the first time, proposing to accelerate the development of strategic emerging industries such as aerospace and to speed up the deployment of low Earth orbit satellite internet networks. In November 2025, the National Space Administration issued the “Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality and Safe Development of Commercial Spaceflight (2025–2027),” clarifying the industry pathway for commercial space development and providing policy support for subsequent project approval, resource coordination, and industry chain development. In December 2025, the Shanghai Stock Exchange clarified that commercial rocket companies could apply the fifth set of STAR Market listing standards, opening a listing channel for companies that have not yet turned a profit but possess core technologies.

On March 13 at 3:48 AM, China successfully launched a satellite internet constellation of 20 low Earth orbit satellites using the Long March 8A carrier rocket at the Hainan commercial space launch site. Xiejing Hongjun, Deputy General Manager of Interstellar Glory, stated that the reusable Hyperbola-3 rocket is expected to have its first launch by the end of 2026. In March, leading private rocket companies such as Tianbing Technology, CAS Space, and Deep Blue Aerospace are entering the critical phase of their new generation reusable launch vehicles, focusing on maiden flights or key technical testing. In 2025, China will complete 92 space launches, with commercial space launches reaching 50. According to CCID Consulting, the Chinese commercial space market is projected to reach 2.83 trillion yuan in 2025 and 3.5 trillion yuan in 2026.

Dongxing Securities pointed out that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, commercial spaceflight will become a key driver for promoting new quality productivity and high-tech development domestically. The number of satellite launches is expected to accelerate further in 2026; private commercial rocket companies are likely to deepen their participation, effectively supplementing the national team, and jointly supporting high-frequency launch demands.

Xiangcai Securities believes that under the guidance of the national space power strategy during the 14th Five-Year Plan, domestic policies, capital, and technology are forming a synergy, pushing commercial spaceflight from the technology validation stage toward large-scale and commercial operation stages.