In this paper, we examine the interrelation between innovation and commercial marketing using the DFH-4 series bus satellite as an example which customers are familiar with. Strategies in evolving satellite buses and key subsystem technologies without compromising on advanced innovations, favorable heritage and thorough verification are also discussed. Market development experiences with the DFH-4 series bus satellite are summarized and market recognition is reflected from the space insurance perspective.

China’s new-generation launch vehicle LM-5 successfully completed its maiden launch in November 2016. Among the new technologies applied in the launch vehicle, four types of liquid rocket engines attracted extensive attention. These engines feature advanced concepts and technologies such as a staged combustion cycle and expander cycle. The engines are the results of hard effort of more than ten years, which is also an epitome of the development history of China’s aerospace industry. This paper gives a brief introduction to the technological schemes, main parameters, development process and application of the four types of engines that powered the new-generation launch vehicle. Finally, proposals for new liquid propulsion technology development in the future in China are presented.

The Long March 5 (LM-5) launch vehicle is China’s new generation heavy-lift rocket with the largest payload capacity, representing the highest standard of China’s current launchers. It took 10 years to develop the LM-5 launch vehicle. On November 3, 2016, the LM-5 carrier rocket blasted off from the Wenchang satellite launch center on Hainan Island, achieving a successful maiden flight. During the development of the LM-5 rocket, the engineering team accumulated abundant experience on developing heavy-lift cryogenic rockets and established a thorough research and development system for new generation launch vehicles, which significantly raised the ability for launcher R&D.

Upper stage is an indispensable vehicle in the space transportation system. For its role in multi-satellite transportation area in China, the development of the Yuanzheng 3 upper stage was approved. The article introduces in detail the Yuanzheng 3 upper stage development requirements, task definition and systems as well as main features and performance including payload capacity and insertion accuracy for typical orbits, interfaces with satellites. The article also presents the development cycle of Yuanzheng 3 upper stage, which is divided into 3 stages including concept demonstration stage, prototype stage and flight proof stage. The Yuanzheng 3 upper stage, which will make its maiden flight in 2018, is capable of restarting more than 20 times, and operating for more than 48 hours. It is equivalent to mainstream upper stages in the world in terms of performance, such as restart times, in-orbit operation time, independent digital control system, and adaptable behavior for various tasks. Technologies tackled and accumulated in the development of the Yuanzheng 3 upper stage will lay a solid foundation for the development of future space transportation vehicles.

Two problems were found in recent applications of TRLs in aerospace projects. One is how to accurately evaluate the readiness level of a given technology in a project using the TRL scale. The other is how to deal with the diversity (different types) of technologies involved in an aerospace project. To solve these problems, a technology readiness assessment (TRA) method based on three maturity characteristics is established, and this method is adapted according to the features of different types of technologies. The proposed method has been successfully applied to aerospace projects and enables great effectiveness and accuracy in assessing new technologies.