Abstract: As space activities become increasingly central to global technological and strategic agendas, developing countries are expressing growing interest in acquiring indigenous space capabilities. However, traditional models of international space cooperation—such as satellite exports and technical joint ventures—often fail to align with the resource constraints and capacity needs of these nations. In response, spacefaring countries like Japan and India have implemented innovative, small-scale capacity-building initiatives that offer training, satellite design experience, and in-orbit deployment opportunities to emerging space actors. This study systematically examines these representative programs, identifies their defining characteristics—including cost-efficiency, full financial support, and strong international legitimacy—and assesses their broader diplomatic and strategic impact. Building on this empirical foundation, the study argues for the strategic relevance of space capacity-building as a potential new model of China’s international space cooperation. Through a tripartite analytical framework of rationale, necessity, and feasibility, the study demonstrates that China possesses both the infrastructural foundation and imperative to adopt this model. It further proposes actionable recommendations to institutionalize capacity-building programs, integrate them into flagship national space missions, and align them with China’s broader foreign policy visions. Ultimately, space capacity-building cooperation is positioned as a low-risk, high-impact approach to fostering trust, expanding influence, and promoting global space governance.

Key words: international space cooperation, capacity-building, KiboCUBE, UNNATI