China eyes SpaceX rivalry with maglev rocket launch pad by 2028

China is making bold strides to challenge the United States' dominance in space exploration by developing a groundbreaking rocket launch system powered by electromagnetic force rather than traditional fuel-driven engines.

At the forefront of this revolutionary project is Galactic Energy, a private aerospace company working on the world’s first electromagnetic rocket launch pad, slated for deployment by 2028. This cutting-edge system, developed in collaboration with state-backed research institutes in Sichuan province, aims to transform the global space industry by offering faster, more efficient satellite launches, Caliber.Az report, citing Chinese media.

Unlike conventional launch methods, the new platform utilizes superconducting magnets to silently propel rockets to supersonic speeds before ignition — an approach often likened to launching a maglev train vertically. This technique is expected to double payload capacity while significantly reducing launch costs.

The Ziyang government and the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) are already testing China’s first electromagnetic launch verification platform. Their ambitious goal is to conduct a full-scale launch within three years.

Li Ping, president of the Ziyang Commercial Space Launch Technology Research Institute, emphasized the system’s advantages, stating that electromagnetic launch tracks require minimal maintenance, allowing for more frequent launches. Additionally, since rockets burn the most fuel at liftoff, accelerating them beyond Mach 1 before ignition could lead to a drastic increase in efficiency.

If successful, this innovation could give China the technological edge it seeks in the growing space race, positioning it as a formidable competitor to American space giants like SpaceX.

By Tamilla Hasanova