OneSpace

OneSpace
Company type	Private
Industry	Aerospace, Space launch
Founded	2015
Founder	Shu Chang
Headquarters	Beijing, China
Area served	China
Key people	Shu Chang (CEO)
Products	Small satellite launch vehicles (OS-X series, OS-M series)

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article OneSpace, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 10 August 2025

OneSpace () or One Space Technology Group () is a privately held Chinese aerospace launch enterprise headquartered in Beijing, with branch offices in Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Xi'an. Established in 2015 by CEO Shu Chang, OneSpace specializes in the small satellite launch sector, focusing on microsatellites and nanosatellites. In 2018, it achieved a milestone by launching China's first privately developed rocket.

The company unveiled its rocket lineup in early 2019. Following the Chinese government's 2014 policy change that permitted private companies to enter the launch and small satellite markets, over ten similar enterprises have appeared, positioning OneSpace as a prominent entity within China's expanding commercial space arena.

Facilities

OneSpace's central headquarters and research and development hub are situated in Beijing, while its manufacturing and assembly operations are based in Chongqing. The company conducts rocket engine testing at facilities located in Jiangxi Province and Shanxi Province.

OS-X series - suborbital

The OS-X series comprises suborbital sounding rockets intended for scientific research and launch system validation.

OS-X0

The OS-X0 (also known as Chongqing Liangjiang Star) is a solid-propellant suborbital rocket designed to carry payloads to an altitude of . Its inaugural flight took place on 17 May 2018, reaching an altitude of . Entirely developed with domestic technology, this launch represented one of China’s earliest rockets designed by a private firm, accomplished with a budget below $78 million. The mission received financial backing from the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

OS-X1

The OS-X1 (also called Chongqing Liangjiang Star) is a 9-meter-long solid-fueled suborbital sounding rocket used for experimental and testing purposes. Its motor successfully underwent testing in December 2017. On 7 September 2018, it was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, achieving an altitude of 35 km and covering a distance of 169 km.

OS-X6B

The OS-X6B (also referred to as Chongqing Liangjiang Star) is a suborbital high-altitude rocket engineered to transport payloads up to 300 km (190 mi) with an anticipated flight duration of approximately 10 minutes. Its first successful flight occurred on 5 February 2021.

OS-M series - orbital

The OS-M series rockets are larger than the OS-X models and are aimed at providing cost-effective launches to LEO and SSO.

OS-M

The OS-M is a lightweight satellite launch vehicle capable of placing payloads ranging from to into LEO and from to into SSO. Key milestones reached by December 2018 include:

July 2018: Testing of the main motor for the first stage
August 2018: Evaluation of three-stage solid propellant motors and stage separation systems
October 2018: Testing of fourth-stage engine and separation mechanisms
November 2018: Mechanical environment assessment of the attitude control system
December 2018: Hot fire test of the attitude control system

OS-M1

The OS-M1 (also known as Chongqing Liangjiang Star, Chongqing SQX, or SQX-1Y1) is a four-stage solid-fuel orbital rocket standing 19 meters tall with a mass of 21 tons. It is engineered to deliver roughly 112 kilograms into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km.

Its maiden orbital launch on 27 March 2019 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center did not succeed due to attitude instability after first-stage separation caused by a failure in the rate gyroscope. OneSpace has pledged to enhance the rocket’s reliability following this setback.

Reports indicate that the OS-M1 employs demilitarized solid rocket motors derived from decommissioned military missiles.

OS-M2

The OS-M2 rocket is equipped with two booster stages. Block A is capable of delivering payloads up to to low Earth orbit (LEO) and to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). Meanwhile, block B can carry to LEO and to sun-synchronous Earth orbit (SEO).

OS-M4

The OS-M4 model utilizes four boosters. Block A can transport 552 kg into LEO and 307 kg to an 800 km SSO orbit, whereas block B has a capacity of 748 kg to LEO and 446 kg to an 800 km SEO orbit.

Future OS-M rockets

OneSpace envisions future iterations of the OS-M series featuring partial reusability. The company is working on a 59-ton vehicle, initially targeted for a 2018 debut, designed to place a payload into LEO for an estimated cost of RMB 100,000 per kilogram (around $6,500 per pound). Additionally, OneSpace intends to develop a crewed spacecraft.

Launches

In addition to multiple sub-orbital flights, OneSpace attempted an orbital launch with the OS-M1 on 27 March 2019; however, the mission was unsuccessful due to failure during the second stage.

Marketplace

OneSpace operates within a competitive landscape alongside Chinese startups such as LandSpace, LinkSpace, ExPace, i-Space, Galactic Energy, Deep Blue Aerospace, and Space Pioneer. These enterprises primarily focus on small satellite launch vehicles and liquid-fueled rockets, reflecting the dynamic nature of China’s emerging commercial space industry.

Financing

In August 2018, OneSpace raised $43.6 million in a Series B funding round led by CICC Jiatai Equity Fund. Other investors included FinTrek Capital, China Merchants Venture Capital, Qianhai Wande Fund, and Qianhai Wutong M&A Fund. This fourth funding cycle increased OneSpace’s total capital raised since its establishment in 2015 to $116 million.

References