iSpace

iSpace (also known as Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology, Ltd), is a Chinese private rocket-launch company.

🏢 Founding & Background

• iSpace was founded in October 2016 in Beijing, China.  
• It is part of the wave of Chinese “NewSpace” start-ups that emerged after China opened its commercial launch sector to private firms.  
• The company develops solid-propellant (and hybrid) launch vehicles under the “Hyperbola” family (Hyperbola-1, etc). 

🚀 Key Accomplishments

• On 25 July 2019, iSpace’s Hyperbola-1 rocket achieved orbit on its maiden flight, marking the first time a private Chinese company placed a payload into orbit.  
• The company has raised multiple rounds of financing to support its development, including large sums in more recent years.  
• iSpace has demonstrated reusable-rocket technologies (e.g., hop/landing tests) and is working toward a next-generation vehicle (Hyperbola-3) with partial reusability.  

❌ Failures & Setbacks

• Although the 2019 flight succeeded, subsequent launches of the Hyperbola-1 vehicle suffered multiple failures: two launches in 2021 and one in 2022 did not reach planned orbit.  
• For example, on 10 July 2024 a Hyperbola-1 launch failed at the fourth stage, dropping the company’s success rate below 50%. 
• These failures illustrate the challenge of consistent reliability in the commercial launch business, even after an early historic success.

🔭 Future Developments

• iSpace is developing the Hyperbola-3 medium-class launcher (with partial reusability) to lift greater payloads and reduce cost.  
• They aim to increase launch cadence and improve reliability, entering a more operational phase beyond demonstration flights.
• Given the competitive Chinese market (with companies such as LandSpace, Galactic Energy, etc) – iSpace’s future success will depend on cost-effectiveness, reliability, and timely development of new capabilities.

Rideshare missions by iSpace

Dedicated missions by iSpace