Beyond innovation paradox: Practices and reflections on promoting high-quality development of commercial aerospace with low costs

Authors

Chao ZHANG, Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; National Institute of Strategic Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Industry Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, ChinaFollow
Qianshu SHI, School of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Binbin MENG, Defense Innovation Institute, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; Intelligent Gaming and Decision Laboratory, Beijing 100071, China
Quan CHENG, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Jun ZHAO, Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, ChinaFollow
Weitao WU, Defense Innovation Institute, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100071, China; Intelligent Gaming and Decision Laboratory, Beijing 100071, China

Keywords

commercial aerospace, low-cost technology, business model, innovation ecosystem, innovation paradox

Document Type

Strategic Research on High-quality Development of Commercial Space

Abstract

Commercial spaceflight, as a national strategic emerging industry, is critical for seizing the high ground of the space economy and fostering new quality productive forces through its low-cost and high-quality development. Currently, international enterprises represented by SpaceX have gained a leading advantage through technological breakthroughs and business model innovations, posing severe challenges to China’s aerospace security and development. This study first analyzes the evolutionary trajectory of low-cost development in commercial spaceflight, then delves into the “low-cost vs. high-quality” innovation paradox faced by the traditional aerospace industry and its root causes. Building on this analysis, it examines the experiences of international commercial spaceflight companies in overcoming this paradox, summarizing breakthrough pathways such as technological architecture innovation, business model-driven innovation paradigms, and reforms in scientific and technological management models. The study further points out that China’s commercial spaceflight sector faces severe challenges, including insufficient systemic top-level planning, a disconnect between development philosophies and market demands, gaps in core technological capabilities, and lagging industrial innovation ecosystem development. To address these issues, it emphasizes the urgent need for multidimensional measures, such as strengthening top-level design and standard unification, adopting a cost-priority development philosophy, promoting organized breakthroughs in key technologies, and improving ecosystem support mechanisms, to provide robust support for reducing costs and enhancing quality in commercial spaceflight.

First page

1902

Last Page

1913

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Recommended Citation

ZHANG, Chao; SHI, Qianshu; MENG, Binbin; CHENG, Quan; ZHAO, Jun; and WU, Weitao (2024) "Beyond innovation paradox: Practices and reflections on promoting high-quality development of commercial aerospace with low costs," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 40 : Iss. 11 , Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3724/j.issn.1000-3045.20250821007
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol40/iss11/2