Wang Yingcheng, Executive Vice President of the CAS Space Innovation Research Institute, revealed on May 22 that the company's reusable orbital-class spacecraft, Lihong-3, is scheduled for its maiden flight in 2028.
According to reports, Lihong-3 is primarily designed for conducting long-term on-orbit scientific experiments and space manufacturing missions. It possesses long-duration orbital capability with flexible on-orbit operation time, and can provide a sustained microgravity environment for payloads of at least 300 kilograms. The spacecraft is equipped with standardized interfaces, offering stable experimental conditions and capable of simultaneously supporting multiple scientific experiments and on-orbit manufacturing missions.
Wang Yingcheng also revealed that the Lihong-2 reusable launch vehicle, primarily aimed at space experiments and space tourism, is currently in the engineering development phase and plans to conduct its maiden flight with 100-kilometer-class recovery by the end of this year.
"Space manufacturing doesn't end once the payload is sent up. What is truly valuable is bringing the experimental samples safely back to Earth, allowing scientists, engineers, and industry partners to continue analysis, verification, and transformation. Only by establishing a round-trip capability between Earth and space can space manufacturing move from a scientific concept to industrial practice," Wang Yingcheng stated.
It is reported that CAS Space has already made forward-looking arrangements around space experiments and space manufacturing, relying on the Lihong series of launch vehicles and spacecraft. On January 12, 2026, the Lihong-1 launch vehicle conducted its maiden flight, carrying out the first on-orbit verification experiment for space manufacturing and returnable payload capsule recovery technology verification. It carried a microgravity laser additive manufacturing returnable scientific experiment payload and space radiation-induced mutation rose seeds, marking the transition of space manufacturing from "concept verification" to the "engineering verification" stage. The company has currently established a presence in the Guangzhou Aerospace Town, planning to build a mass production base for the Lihong series of reusable launch vehicles to support future demands for high-frequency, low-cost space access.