Discover China’s latest CASC five-year plan: China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers powered by unlimited solar energy, plus suborbital and orbital space tourism launching soon. A major challenge to SpaceX in the 2026 space race. Read the full details now.
China’s space ambitions are accelerating rapidly in 2026. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the nation’s leading state-owned space entity, recently unveiled a comprehensive five-year development roadmap. This plan focuses on groundbreaking advancements like China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers and the rollout of space tourism, including both suborbital and orbital experiences. These initiatives highlight China’s determination to lead in high-tech space applications while competing directly with global players such as SpaceX.
Announced through state media like CCTV on January 29, 2026, the strategy integrates artificial intelligence with orbital infrastructure and commercial spaceflight. It builds on China’s strong performance in 2025, when the country achieved around 93 orbital launches—a national record driven by both state and growing private sector contributions. As we move deeper into 2026, these plans signal a shift toward sustainable, high-impact space utilization that could influence global technology trends.
Understanding China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers
At the heart of CASC’s vision is the construction of gigawatt-class space digital-intelligence infrastructure. This means deploying large-scale AI computing facilities directly in orbit over the next five years. The ultimate target is an industrial-scale “Space Cloud” operational around 2030, where massive data processing occurs beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
The rationale is straightforward and compelling. AI workloads demand enormous energy, and terrestrial data centers struggle with power shortages, cooling needs, and grid limitations. In space, constant sunlight allows solar panels to generate significantly more electricity—potentially up to five times more efficiently than on the ground—without atmospheric interference or night cycles. This abundant, clean power could fuel gigawatt-level operations, shifting energy-intensive AI tasks away from Earth.
These orbital centers would combine cloud computing, edge processing near data sources, and seamless high-bandwidth links to ground stations. Applications could include real-time analysis of Earth observation data, disaster response support, autonomous satellite management, and advanced scientific simulations. By processing information in orbit, latency drops for certain uses, and reliance on vulnerable ground infrastructure decreases.
This effort aligns with broader national goals to build sovereign AI capabilities. It also responds to surging global demand for compute power, positioning China to handle future AI growth without the same constraints faced elsewhere. While private firms like ADA Space have already launched initial test satellites for space computing constellations, CASC’s state-backed scale promises rapid expansion toward true gigawatt capacity.
The Rise of Space Tourism in China’s Strategy
Parallel to AI infrastructure, CASC has committed to making space tourism a practical reality. The plan specifies achieving operational suborbital space tourism flights within the next five years, then progressively building toward orbital space tourism.
Suborbital journeys would propel passengers to altitudes around 100 kilometers, offering brief periods of weightlessness and panoramic views of Earth’s curvature. These flights resemble current offerings from international providers but benefit from China’s advancing reusable technologies to potentially reduce costs and increase frequency.
Orbital tourism takes things further, enabling longer-duration trips where participants circle Earth, perhaps docking with facilities or dedicated modules for extended stays. This could involve days in microgravity, unique research opportunities, or simply immersive experiences unavailable on suborbital hops.
Private Chinese companies are already contributing momentum. Firms like CAS Space have conducted successful suborbital tests with recoverable capsules, while others target crewed flights in the coming years. CASC’s involvement ensures coordination between state resources and commercial innovation, accelerating development through shared technology and funding.
Reusable Launch Technology Driving Progress
None of these ambitions would be feasible without reliable, cost-effective access to space. China is prioritizing reusable rockets to slash launch expenses and enable frequent missions. The Long March series remains foundational, but new variants are emerging with reusability features.
A cargo-optimized, reusable rocket derived from the Long March 10 is expected to make its debut in the first half of 2026. This vehicle incorporates lessons from crewed lunar program developments, including technologies for the Mengzhou spacecraft. Additional models like the Long March 12A and others are slated for tests, supporting higher launch cadences.
In 2025, reusability milestones included successful recoveries and multiple flights of certain boosters. Building on this, 2026 could see even more reusable operations from both CASC and private entities like LandSpace and Galactic Energy. Lower costs will be essential for deploying numerous satellites for AI constellations, tourism vehicles, and supporting infrastructure.
Deep Space Exploration and Broader Objectives
CASC’s roadmap extends to ambitious deep space goals. Priorities include intelligent resource utilization on small celestial bodies such as asteroids, advanced space debris tracking, and contributions to international space traffic management. The Tiangong space station continues stable operations, serving as a platform for long-term research.
Satellite mega-constellations like Guowang and Qianfan are expanding to provide global broadband coverage, complementing AI and tourism efforts. These networks could enable high-speed data relay for orbital computing and support tourism communications.
By aiming to become a world-leading space power by 2045, China combines massive state investment with a vibrant private sector of over 600 companies. This hybrid model fosters rapid iteration and commercialization, contrasting with more purely market-driven approaches in other nations.
Global Implications and the Competitive Landscape
These developments intensify the U.S.-China space rivalry. Orbital AI infrastructure challenges concepts from SpaceX and others pursuing similar solar-powered computing in space. Space tourism opens another commercial avenue, potentially democratizing access as reusability matures.
For industries, success could accelerate AI innovation by providing scalable, efficient compute resources. Everyday benefits might include improved global monitoring for climate, agriculture, and emergencies through orbitally processed data. Space tourism could evolve from elite experiences to broader participation, much like aviation’s historical progression.
China’s focus on self-reliance, abundant orbital energy, and China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers creates a compelling path forward. Challenges remain, including technical hurdles in heat dissipation, radiation protection, and orbital congestion, but steady progress suggests these are surmountable.
Looking Ahead to Milestones in 2026 and Beyond
The coming year holds key tests: reusable rocket debuts, suborbital tourism prototypes, initial China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers deployments, and continued constellation growth. Crewed lunar mission preparations, possible sample returns from the Moon or asteroids, and higher launch volumes will keep the program in headlines.
As China’s efforts mature, they could redefine how humanity harnesses space for computation, travel, and exploration. The combination of state direction and commercial energy positions the nation to influence the next era of space activity significantly.
Reference: https://x.com/i/status/2016802815440802159
FAQs on China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers and Tourism Plans
What are China’s Gigawatt-Class Orbital AI Data Centers?
They refer to massive orbital computing facilities capable of gigawatt-level power, primarily solar-generated, designed to run large-scale AI operations. CASC targets building this infrastructure over five years to form a “Space Cloud” by 2030 for efficient, high-capacity processing.
When does China plan to start suborbital space tourism?
CASC aims for operational suborbital flights within the next five years, potentially by the early 2030s, with private tests already underway to validate technologies.
How do these plans compare to efforts by SpaceX?
Both pursue orbital computing leveraging solar advantages for AI. China’s approach is state-led with gigawatt-scale goals, while SpaceX integrates it with broader satellite networks.
Why move AI computing to space?
Space offers unlimited solar energy, no atmospheric losses, and potential for reduced ground power strain. It addresses AI’s growing energy demands and enables faster processing of space-collected data.
What reusable rockets support these ambitions?
New Long March variants, including a reusable Long March 10-derived model debuting in 2026, plus commercial developments, aim to cut costs and enable frequent launches for infrastructure and tourism.
Will space tourism be affordable for average people?
Early flights will likely be expensive and exclusive. Reusability and increased operations could lower prices over time, similar to how commercial aviation became accessible.
How does this fit China’s long-term space vision?
It supports becoming a top space power by 2045 through AI integration, commercial flights, deep space resource use, and sustainable orbital systems, blending state and private strengths.
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