Beyond Horizons
Trailblazing Tales from Asia
Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.
Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
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The Declining Profitability Trend in Cambodia’s Banks: The Impact of Rising Costs and NPLs
YCP and Confluences’ latest report analyzes the challenges facing Cambodia's banking sector. It reveals a significant decline in key profitability metrics, with the top five banks seeing median ROA drop from 2.3% to 1.2%, and NPM from 26.6% to 16.5% between 2019 and 2023. Smaller banks have experienced similar trends.
The report attributes this decline to rising overhead costs, including increased discretionary spending on marketing, advertising, and maintenance, as well as a sharp rise in non-performing loans (NPLs). Additionally, banks have had to set aside more provisions for doubtful debts due to a slow economic recovery and higher credit losses. The rise in interest rates has further strained borrowers’ ability to repay debts. The report recommends more efficient management of discretionary costs and enhanced risk assessment strategies for personal loans to improve profitability in the sector.
Green Aviation in China Taking Off
A report by Giorgio Parolini, Lead of Aviation Decarbonization, and He Yiran, Specialist in Industry Decarbonization at the World Economic Forum, highlights China's emergence as a key player in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sector. Leveraging low fuel production costs, abundant feedstocks like used cooking oil, and a rapidly growing aviation market, China is well-positioned to lead in SAF production, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.
With 400,000 tons of annual production capacity and plans to reach 50,000 tons of SAF per year by 2025, China is also exploring alternatives like power-to-liquid fuels. The country’s SAF growth is supported by advancements in policy, renewable energy, and sustainability certifications, positioning China to play a major role in the global SAF market, despite challenges like feedstock limitations and potential trade barriers.
SAF Observatory
A study by Brussels-based advocacy group Transport and Environment reveals that most airlines are not doing enough to adopt sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is crucial for reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
Currently, SAF accounts for only 1% of global aviation fuel use, while airlines need to significantly increase this share to meet emission reduction targets. SAF, which can be made from materials like wood chips and used cooking oil, costs 2 to 5 times more than regular jet fuel, and a lack of investment from major oil companies in processing facilities is hindering market growth.
While some airlines like Air France-KLM and United Airlines have made progress, 87% of airlines are failing to take meaningful action. Airlines such as ITA Airways and TAP are particularly behind in securing SAF for the future, with TAP committing to 10% SAF by 2030 but facing challenges due to low availability and high costs.
Hydrogen Electrolyser Manufacturing Report
A CSIRO report projects that Australia's hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturing (HEM) sector could generate $1.7 billion in revenue and create nearly 4,000 jobs by 2050. The report highlights Australia's potential in renewable hydrogen production, with a growing electrolyzer manufacturing sector and a strong domestic project pipeline.
Key recommendations for unlocking this potential include aligning demand with clean energy manufacturing, fostering international partnerships, and developing manufacturing hubs leveraging Australia’s renewable energy advantages. The report also identifies an additional $1.2 billion in revenue and 1,000 jobs from electrolyzer installation services by 2050.
Access the report here.
Summary
Financing & Investments: Vietnam Extends 2% VAT Reduction Until June 2025; Cambodia Blocks 102 Websites, Including Major Crypto Exchanges, Over Licensing Issues; Robinhood to Establish Regional HQ in Singapore by 2025; Australia Invests $50M in Singapore’s FAST-P for Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia; KPay Raises US$55 Million in Series A for Asian Expansion; ADB and Mastercard Partner to Support MSMEs in Asia; and AIIB Signs CNY574 Million Loan for Yantai Institute of Science and Technology Expansion
Environmental Sustainability: ADB, SAFCO TO Invest $86.2M In SAF facility in Pakistan; Honeywell and GoldWind Partner on SAF at CISCE; Mitsui Invests in Heirloom Carbon Technologies to Advance DAC Solutions; Aemetis Delivers $103 Million Biodiesel to Indian OMCs, Expands Production Capacity; and Hong Kong Urged to Accelerate Green Fuel Initiatives to Stay Competitive
Aviation: Sri Lankan Start-Up Air Ceilão Targets May 2025 Launch; AIIB Approves USD 400 Million for Hubei Global Air Cargo Logistics Project; Advocacy Campaign Calls for Better Disability Access in Aviation; Over 1,000 Aviation Workers to Strike Over Wages and Conditions; India Scraps Windfall Tax on Crude, ATF, and Fuel Exports; and Thailand Partners with Airbus to Boost Aviation Infrastructure and Safety Standards
Advanced Air Mobility: EHang Showcases Sustainable Aviation Innovations at ICAO's 80th Anniversary Event; Manta Aircraft Unveils Hybrid-Electric ANN 6 at Zhuhai Airshow; Stralis to Conduct First Piloted Hydrogen-Electric Flight in Southern Hemisphere; and Draft Australian Airspace Policy Statement (AAPS) Released for Public Comment
Artificial Intelligence: Empyrion Digital Announces 12MW Edge Data Centre in Bangkok; DBS Launches Spark GenAI Programme to Boost AI Adoption Among Singaporean SMEs; Japan Airlines and NEC Test AI to Reduce Flight Delays; and China Launches AI Platform to Boost Judicial Efficiency and Public Access
Marine: China Classification Society Focuses on Leading Shipping Development in Middle East; MPA and MISC Partner to Drive Digital Innovation in Maritime Industry; Rotterdam-Singapore Green Shipping Corridor Successfully Pilots Bio-Methane Bunkering; AET and SMF Partner to Develop Maritime Talent; and India Introduces Two Bills to Revamp Maritime Sector
Space: China Launches First Rocket from New Commercial Space Site; Asia’s Largest Satellite Manufacturing Factory Set to Open in Hainan by 2025; Lava Samples from Moon’s Far Side Reveal Volcanic Activity 2.8 Billion Years Ago; China Plans Mars Sample Return Mission by 2031; and ArkEdge Space Leads Development of Lunar Navigation Tech with JAXA
Financing & Investments
Vietnam
On November 30, 2024, Vietnam’s 15th National Assembly approved the extension of the 2% value-added tax (VAT) reduction, lowering the rate from 10% to 8% for eligible goods and services until June 30, 2025. This measure, initially set to expire on December 31, 2024, continues to support socio-economic recovery.
💡The VAT reduction applies uniformly across importation, manufacturing, processing, and trading stages for eligible items. However, certain sectors remain excluded, including telecommunications, banking, insurance, real estate, and chemical products, as outlined in prior decrees. Comprehensive guidelines for compliance are detailed in Decree 94/2023/ND-CP, which specifies excluded goods and their corresponding product and HS codes.
Cambodia
Cambodia has intensified its crackdown on unlicensed online activities by blocking 102 websites, including popular crypto exchanges like Binance and Coinbase, for operating without approval from the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC). While the websites are now inaccessible, their mobile apps remain operational.
💡The action primarily targets online gambling platforms, but the inclusion of well-known crypto exchanges has raised concerns. Cambodia’s regulatory stance on crypto remains cautious, with only two entities authorized under its Fintech Regulatory Sandbox. The country has been criticized for its links to cybercrime and crypto scams, although it ranks among the top 20 nations for retail crypto usage per capita.
US-Singapore
Robinhood Markets, the U.S.-based online brokerage, plans to set up a regional headquarters in Singapore in 2025, marking its entry into the Asian market. The move follows the company’s UK expansion earlier this year and aligns with its strategy to diversify operations as trading volumes decline in its U.S. home market.
💡Robinhood joins Chinese competitors Tiger Brokers and Futu Holdings, which are also growing their presence in the region.
Australia-Singapore
Australia has committed US$50 million to Singapore's Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P), a blended finance initiative launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore at COP28 in 2023. FAST-P aims to accelerate Southeast Asia’s transition to sustainable infrastructure and clean energy by mobilizing public, private, and philanthropic capital.
The investment, the first under Australia’s A$2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF), aligns with the "Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040" and creates commercial opportunities for Australian exporters and financial institutions.
💡Singapore has pledged up to US$500 million in concessional capital to FAST-P, matched by contributions from global partners. Australia’s investment will be managed by Export Finance Australia and deployed through the Green Investments Partnership, overseen by Pentagreen Capital, which plans to direct US$1 billion into renewable energy, energy storage, EV infrastructure, and other sustainable projects.
Asia
KPay, a financial management platform, has secured US$55 million in Series A funding, led by Apis Growth Markets Fund III. The funding will fuel KPay’s expansion into Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.
💡Founded three years ago, KPay has grown rapidly, serving 45,000 merchants in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan with a 166% revenue CAGR. The company aims to support one million merchants in the next five years through organic growth and acquisitions. KPay has partnered with over 150 SaaS providers, banks, and financial firms, with plans to double these partnerships.
Asia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Mastercard Impact Fund have partnered to address financing challenges faced by MSMEs in Asia and the Pacific. The initiative, supported by a US$5 million grant from Mastercard, will focus on seven countries: Georgia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
💡The partnership will provide financial institutions with risk-reduction capital, incentives, and capacity-building to encourage lending to MSMEs, prioritizing women-led businesses and those involved in climate finance. The grant is expected to support up to US$1 billion in ADB financing over four years, helping bridge the US$2.5 trillion credit gap faced by MSMEs in the region.
China
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a CNY574.728 million loan to fund the expansion of the Yantai Institute of Science and Technology (YIST), a vocational school owned by China Education Group Holdings. The project aims to provide high-quality, affordable education to 14,000 students, with a focus on industry-aligned skills to boost local workforce development.
💡This marks AIIB's first non-sovereign-backed educational infrastructure project, supporting the government's push for private sector investment in vocational education. The expansion will create new employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy by producing skilled graduates to meet industry needs.
Environmental Sustainability
Pakistan
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and SAFCO Venture Holdings have committed $86.2 million to develop a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility in Sheikhupura, Pakistan. This marks the first private-sector SAF project in the Asia-Pacific region.
💡The 200,000-ton-per-annum facility will use waste-based feedstock, primarily used cooking oil. SAFCO has secured a long-term agreement with Shell for the purchase of up to 145,000 tons of SAF annually. The project aims to reduce emissions and create jobs while supporting Pakistan’s renewable fuels market.
China
At the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), Honeywell signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with GoldWind Green Energy (Jiangsu) to collaborate on Honeywell's eFining™ methanol-to-jet processing technology and research green methanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel production. The partnership aims to expand industry chain cooperation across Asia.
💡Honeywell highlighted its participation as part of a broader effort to showcase supply chain solutions for industrial automation, energy transition, and aviation, while emphasizing its commitment to China's market.
Japan-USA
Mitsui & Co. has invested in Heirloom Carbon Technologies, a leader in direct air capture (DAC) technology that removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Heirloom’s unique DAC process, based on limestone, enables large-scale commercialization and flexibility in siting. Heirloom’s first commercial plant in Tracy, California, captures 1,000 tons of CO2 annually, with plans for a larger facility in Louisiana to capture 300,000 tons per year.
💡Mitsui’s investment aligns with its strategy to deepen its DAC expertise and integrate DAC with its carbon capture and storage (CCS) business, aiming to create a carbon management platform, expand credit sales, and develop carbon-neutral fuels.
India
US-based Aemetis, Inc. announced its Universal Biofuels subsidiary in India completed a $103 million biodiesel delivery to government-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under cost-plus agreements for the 2023-2024 marketing year. The company also received a $58 million allocation for the 2024-2025 year and has begun biodiesel production. Universal Biofuels recently expanded its production capacity through a plant upgrade, improving cost-efficiency and supporting India’s goal of a 5% biodiesel blend.
💡The market for biodiesel in India is projected to grow significantly, with expansion plans aiming for 1.25 billion gallons annually.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong faces increasing competition from Singapore, Shanghai, and Shenzhen in developing green fuel solutions for the aviation and maritime sectors, according to a South China Morning Post article. While Singapore has set clear SAF usage targets, Hong Kong lags in establishing policies and supply chains for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green marine fuel. The city’s slow progress could jeopardize its status as a global hub, with industry experts calling for urgent action to avoid losing business to regional competitors.
💡The Hong Kong government is formulating plans for SAF, but immediate steps are needed to stay competitive in the growing green fuel market.
Aviation
Sri Lanka
Air Ceilão, a Sri Lankan aviation start-up, has applied for an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and plans to commence operations in May 2025. The airline aims to utilize two Airbus A320 Family aircraft and position Sri Lanka as a regional aviation hub, with a focus on key destinations in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
💡Initial routes proposed include five weekly roundtrips from Colombo to Dubai, Doha, and Chennai; four to Bangkok and Singapore; and three to Malé. If approved, Air Ceilão will become Sri Lanka's fourth active scheduled operator, joining SriLankan Airlines, FitsAir, and Cinnamon.
China
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a USD 400 million loan for the development of the Hubei Global Air Cargo Logistics Project, set to create a state-of-the-art bonded logistics park near the Hubei Ezhou Huahu International Airport, Asia's first dedicated freight airport. The project will enhance logistics infrastructure with customs operations, bonded warehousing, and international cargo stations. It aims to position Ezhou as a global air freight hub, facilitating cross-border trade and economic growth in central China. The park is expected to handle over 600,000 tons of international air freight by 2030.
💡AIIB's support includes integrating sustainable and smart logistics practices, with a focus on green infrastructure and climate resilience. The project will adhere to high environmental and social standards, ensuring sustainability while driving regional integration and global trade. AIIB’s financing aims to set a benchmark for green logistics development in the region.
Australia
A new campaign, led by disability rights advocate Shane Hryhorec and supported by Sophie Morgan, aims to highlight systemic issues in air travel that harm disabled passengers. The campaign calls for mandatory wheelchair spaces, hoists at every gate, and staff training to better assist disabled travelers. Hryhorec emphasizes the need for collaboration with people with disabilities to create effective standards.
💡The initiative also features personal accounts, including from former Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, to raise awareness of discrimination in aviation.
Australia
Over 1,000 aviation workers will strike for 24 hours next Wednesday, impacting ramp, cargo, and baggage operations across multiple Australian states. The strike is a response to stalled pay negotiations with dnata, which has refused to improve job security, pay, and rostering. Workers are fighting for fair wages, better rosters, and increased job security after a decade of cost-cutting and job erosion within the industry, largely driven by Qantas.
💡The industrial action follows ongoing tensions over Qantas' outsourcing of ground handling services, which led to wage cuts and reduced job security for many workers. The dispute comes as pilots in three states also consider strike action over pay and rostering conditions. Workers are also seeking consultation rights and guarantees of fair working conditions for jobs at the new Western Sydney International Airport.
India
India has abolished its windfall tax on crude oil products, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), and petrol and diesel exports, according to a government order issued on Monday. The tax, which was introduced in July 2022, aimed to capture windfall profits from domestic oil producers following global crude price hikes. However, with declining global oil prices, the government deemed the tax no longer necessary.
💡In 2023-24, the government collected 130 billion rupees from the windfall tax, down from 250 billion rupees the previous year. As of the current financial year, 60 billion rupees have been collected through the tax.
Thailand
Thailand's Transport Ministry is collaborating with European aerospace giant Airbus to enhance the country's aviation infrastructure and safety standards. The partnership aims to transform Thailand into a regional aviation hub, with plans to accommodate 250 million passengers annually by 2032. The government also plans to build a new airport on the west coast of Southern Thailand.
💡Airbus will leverage its expertise in sustainable aviation fuel, emission tracking, and regulatory systems to support Thailand's aviation sector and meet international standards.
Advanced Air Mobility
China
EHang participated in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 80th anniversary event in Chicago, showcasing its contributions to sustainable aviation. As the only Asian aviation company present, EHang’s CFO, Conor Yang, highlighted the company’s innovations in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize air transport with low energy consumption, low noise, and zero emissions.
💡EHang continues to lead the UAM sector, having completed over 56,000 safe flights across 18 countries, and aims to collaborate with governments and industry partners to develop a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly aerial mobility ecosystem.
Italy-China
Italy’s Manta Aircraft showcased its hybrid-electric ANN 6 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. The six-seater aircraft, designed for personal, business, medical, and cargo use, features both VTOL and STOL capabilities, allowing it to operate in various environments with minimal infrastructure. It has a VTOL range of 300 km, extendable to 1,000 km in STOL mode. Powered by a hybrid propulsion system with eight ducted fans, the ANN 6 promises better speed and range than traditional electric air taxis.
💡Developed in collaboration with Shenyang Aviation Industries Group, the aircraft targets Chinese and South Asian markets and is designed for cost-effective, eco-friendly operations with minimal infrastructure needs.
Australia
Stralis, an Australian tech company, plans to conduct the Southern Hemisphere’s first piloted hydrogen-electric flight next year. Using Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft, Stralis is developing hydrogen-electric fuel cell technology, with tests set to begin soon in New Zealand. Their lightweight fuel cell system offers longer flight ranges and lower operating costs compared to fossil fuels.
💡Stralis has secured $250 million in letters of intent from airlines and government grants to support its development.
Australia
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts has released a draft of the 2025 Australian Airspace Policy Statement (AAPS) for public feedback. This policy outlines the Federal Government's strategic airspace objectives, including safety, future airspace framework, regulatory certainty for new technologies, and supporting national security.
💡The AAPS is part of a 4-stage reform process aimed at modernizing Australia's airspace by 2030, enabling the increased use of drones and other aviation technologies. Comments are open until 20 December via the Department's website or email.
Artificial Intelligence
Thailand
Empyrion Digital, a next-generation digital infrastructure platform, has announced plans to establish a 12MW (IT Load) edge co-location data centre in Bangkok, marking its first major expansion in Southeast Asia since its founding in Singapore in 2021.
💡The facility, named TH1, will span over 9,960 square metres in Bang Na, Bangkok’s emerging connectivity hub. It will offer diverse connectivity to local fibre providers and proximity to key Internet Exchanges and submarine cable routes. Optimized for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, TH1 will incorporate advanced cooling technologies to achieve low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE).
Singapore
DBS, in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority, has launched the Spark GenAI programme to promote generative AI adoption among Singaporean SMEs. Announced by Senior Minister Tan Kiat How, the initiative aligns with the Digital Enterprise Blueprint and aims to address the low 4.2% AI adoption rate among SMEs.
💡The programme offers four key pillars: educational resources, workshops, access to grants, and cybersecurity support, including an online course on cyber wellness. DBS aims to reach 50,000 SMEs within two years, with workshops starting in late 2024.
Japan
Japan Airlines (JAL) and NEC Corporation have conducted a successful trial of the "NEC Baggage Counting Solution" at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, aimed at reducing flight delays caused by excess carry-on baggage. The AI-powered system analyzes the quantity and type of baggage at boarding gates in real-time, triggering alerts when overhead bin storage limits are reached.
💡The trial, held from April to September 2024, evaluated the solution’s accuracy and timing in preventing congestion and delays. JAL plans to implement the solution to enhance boarding efficiency and improve on-time performance in the future.
China
A newly unveiled AI-powered platform, developed by the Supreme People's Court, has been registered with China's cyberspace authority and is designed to process vast amounts of legal data, including 320 million pieces of legal information. The platform can assist judges by quickly analyzing and comparing legal materials, saving time and improving efficiency. It will also provide public legal services, offering advice on mediation and litigation to non-experts.
💡The initiative follows previous efforts to enhance the judicial process, including the creation of online platforms for searching verdicts and attending trials.
Marine
China-Middle East
Chen Jiping, general manager of CCS Dubai, stated at the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress that CCS aims to remain a leader in Middle East shipping. He emphasized the need for technical expertise and safety support amid industry shifts driven by decarbonization, geopolitics, and digital transformation.
💡Chen also discussed CCS's efforts in advancing alternative-fuel vessels and supporting shipowners throughout the design, construction, and operation phases.
Singapore-Malaysia
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and MISC have signed a three-year MoU to enhance collaboration in innovation, research, and digital transformation within the maritime sector. The partnership focuses on integrating sustainable digital technologies, data-sharing initiatives, and cybersecurity advancements. Key areas of cooperation include trials for Just-in-time Planning, e-clearances, and cloud services.
💡Both parties will explore AI, digital twins, and semi-autonomous vessels to improve efficiency and safety, while also prioritizing talent development and upskilling seafarers for alternative-fuelled vessels.
Singapore-Netherlands
On October 19, 2024, the Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) partners successfully conducted a pilot for bunkering mass-balanced liquefied bio-methane (LBM) at the Port of Rotterdam. Shell supplied 100 tonnes of LBM to CMA CGM’s LNG-powered vessel, CMA CGM TIVOLI. The LBM, produced from waste-based feedstock, provides a lower-emission alternative to conventional marine fuels, supporting the GDSC's commitment to near-zero emission fuels along major shipping routes.
The pilot utilized a mass balance methodology to track the LBM’s movement through the supply chain and ensure compliance with EU sustainability and emissions standards. A third-party audit will confirm the fuel's sustainability certification.
💡The GDSC initiative, launched in 2022 by the Port of Rotterdam and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), aims to accelerate maritime decarbonization and digitalization, bringing together 28 global partners.
Singapore
AET and the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) have signed an MoU to sponsor four scholarships and two internships annually from 2025 to 2027. The initiative, part of SMF’s MaritimeONE programme, aims to support Singapore’s maritime talent pool, offering students industry exposure and mentorship.
💡The partnership, marking AET’s 30th anniversary, focuses on preparing future maritime professionals for emerging technologies and sustainability challenges.
India
On December 2, 2024, India introduced the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 in Parliament to modernize its maritime sector. The bills aim to boost global competitiveness, streamline regulations, and support domestic shipping businesses by eliminating outdated license requirements and reducing compliance burdens.
The Coastal Shipping Bill focuses on simplifying coastal operations, integrating coastal and inland shipping, and promoting private sector participation. It also aims to enhance connectivity, encourage green technologies, and boost coastal tourism.
The Merchant Shipping Bill updates the 1958 law, streamlining ship registration, improving seafarer welfare, and strengthening maritime safety. It also prioritizes environmental sustainability and digital transformation.
💡The reforms are expected to improve efficiency, lower costs, and support India’s economic and environmental goals.
Space
China
China successfully launched its inaugural rocket from a new commercial space site on Saturday night. The Long March-12 Y1 rocket placed two experimental satellites into orbit.
💡The launch, conducted by state-owned Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., took place at a newly established spaceport on Hainan Island, the country's first dedicated to commercial missions.
China
A super satellite manufacturing factory is set to open in June 2025 at the Wenchang International Aerospace City in South China’s Hainan Province. The factory, spanning 60,000 square meters, will be the largest of its kind in Asia and will enable satellites to be launched immediately upon completion.
Construction is underway, with the factory’s roofing expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Once operational, the factory will strengthen Hainan’s position as a major satellite manufacturing hub, with nearly 1,000 aerospace companies already attracted to the region.
💡Located near the Wenchang space launch site, the factory will benefit from reduced transportation costs and risks.
China
Lava samples from the moon’s far side, returned by China’s Chang'e 6 mission in 2024, show volcanic activity 2.8 billion years ago. Analyzing these basalt rocks revealed that the lava came from a mantle region low in key elements, likely due to the South Pole-Aitken basin’s impact, which redistributed materials and melted the mantle.
💡The discovery adds to previous findings of volcanic activity on the near side of the moon and suggests that eruptions may have occurred as recently as 120 million years ago.
China
China is set to launch its Tianwen-3 mission by 2028, aiming to return Mars samples to Earth by 2031. The mission will involve two Long March-5 rockets: one for the orbiter/return vehicle and another for the lander/ascent vehicle. The Tianwen-3 mission follows the success of Tianwen-1, which placed a rover on Mars in 2021.
💡The mission will focus on collecting samples from the Chryse and Utopia Planitia regions, searching for biosignatures of ancient life. International collaboration will also be a key feature of the mission.
Japan
Tokyo-based space start-up ArkEdge Space has been selected by JAXA to lead the development of advanced lunar navigation technology under the Space Strategy Fund. The company will spearhead the creation of the Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS), a key component of the International “LunaNet” initiative, involving NASA, ESA, and JAXA.
💡With up to 5 billion yen ($32.5 million) in funding over four years, ArkEdge Space will develop a 100 kg micro-satellite, focusing on lunar navigation payloads, demonstration satellites, and system operations. The initiative uses faint GNSS signals to determine satellite positioning and timing in lunar orbit, advancing critical infrastructure for lunar exploration and future missions to Mars and beyond.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**