China to fast-track STAR market IPOs for reusable rocket firms after successful orbital launch

China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange will allow commercial reusable-rocket companies to list on the STAR market without meeting standard profit or revenue thresholds, provided they demonstrate at least one successful orbital launch using reusable rocket technology. The rule change aims to speed capital access for firms developing reusable launch systems — notably private player LandSpace, which in December conducted China’s first full test placing a satellite into orbit with its Zhuque-3 reusable system but did not recover the first-stage booster. The policy shift is intended to help Chinese companies close the technological and strategic gap with the US, where SpaceX dominates reusable rockets with the Falcon 9. China is pursuing large satellite megaconstellations (state-backed Guowang up to 13,000 satellites; Qianfan around 15,000 planned) to rival Starlink (about 6,800 active satellites). The exchange previously eased rules for pre-profit innovative firms in June and now prioritizes companies taking on national missions. LandSpace has said it needs public capital to compete and may IPO in early 2026 after prior state funding; it plans a full recovery attempt of Zhuque-3 in mid-2026. The change will likely accelerate fundraising and development across state-owned and private Chinese space firms.