Blue Arrow Aerospace Wuxi Production Base Commissions, Zhuque-3 Reusable Rocket Enter Mass Manufacturing Phase
Summary: On May 27, 2026, Blue Arrow Aerospace's Wuxi production base officially commenced operations. The facility is China's first rocket mass production factory based on high-strength stainless steel materials and intelligent laser manufacturing technologies, with a total first-phase investment of 2.3 billion RMB. Once fully operational, the base will serve as the intelligent manufacturing center for the Zhuque-3 reusable liquid rocket, with an annual capacity of 20 rocket assemblies and integrated testing runs. The commissioning marks Blue Arrow Aerospace's official transition from the "technology verification" phase to "scale manufacturing."
China's First Stainless Steel Rocket Mass Production Factory
The Blue Arrow Aerospace Wuxi base covers approximately 112 mu (about 18.7 acres), with a total first-phase investment of 2.3 billion RMB. Its commissioning signals Blue Arrow Aerospace's official transition from the "technology verification" phase to "scale manufacturing." By introducing high-strength stainless steel and intelligent laser manufacturing processes, the base will effectively improve the manufacturing efficiency and consistency of rocket structural components, supporting the Zhuque-3 rocket in achieving high-frequency, low-cost "flight-like" launch objectives.
Blue Arrow Aerospace is China's first private launch vehicle company to obtain all required licenses. The company has long been committed to the development of medium-to-large launch vehicle series using liquid oxygen methane propellant, and completed China's first private launch vehicle launch on October 27, 2018.
Zhuque-3 Reusable Rocket Enters Batch Manufacturing Phase
The Zhuque-3 is China's first liquid launch vehicle using a stainless steel airframe structure. It successfully achieved orbital flight on December 3, 2025. The rocket can cover most orbital launch requirements including Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), and Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
As reusable technology matures and reuse frequency increases, Zhuque-3's launch cost is expected to be reduced by more than 80% compared to expendable rockets, providing a cost-effective launch solution for satellite internet constellation deployment and commercial payload launches.
Wuxi Party Secretary Du Xiaogang attended the commissioning ceremony. Blue Arrow Aerospace CEO Zhang Changwu stated that the company would use the Wuxi base commissioning as an opportunity to repay the city's trust and support with reliable launch services and solid industrial contributions.
Yangtze River Delta Commercial Space Industry Agglomeration
The commissioning marks a critical step for Wuxi City in the field of commercial space high-end equipment manufacturing. With the operational launch of the Blue Arrow Aerospace Wuxi base, the Yangtze River Delta region's industrial agglomeration effect in commercial space high-end equipment manufacturing will be further strengthened, providing strong support for the high-quality development of China's commercial space industry.