BEIJING, April 11, 2026 - The 5-meter-diameter composite propulsion bay, developed by the the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), has officially completed production. As the largest monolithic composite cabin section for a reusable launch vehicle in China's aerospace sector, its successful development represents a major breakthrough in the country's large-scale aerospace composite structure manufacturing technology.

The propulsion bay features a composite material content exceeding 60%. Its panel structure enables lightweight construction capable of withstanding thousand-ton axial compression loads while offering adaptive adjustment interfaces for various connections.

The research and development team adopted a highly parallel, collaborative approach throughout the propulsion bay's structural development. This methodology successfully overcame key challenges, including high-precision, high-quality manufacturing of novel large-scale monolithic composite structures and Complex technical configuration management under a highly parallel collaborative model.

The first product was completed in just seven months, spanning from initial concept design to final product delivery. This achievement demonstrates China's growing capability in producing large, complex composite structures for next-generation reusable space transportation systems, reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity under extreme launch conditions.

About China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

CASC is the main contractor for China's space program, responsible for the development and manufacture of launch vehicles, satellites, spacecraft, and strategic missile systems.