The overall situation in space exploration is settled: barring any unforeseen circumstances, China’s space industry will undergo three major changes starting in 2026.

Recently, I had dinner with a few friends, and as we chatted, we talked about how the Tiangong space station has welcomed a new batch of astronauts. One friend joked, “We’re carrying bricks on Earth while they’re on business trips in space; the gap is just too big.” Another friend who is a dad quickly chimed in, “My son keeps saying he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up, and as a father, I can’t even tell him what astronauts eat.”

Everyone laughed, but when you think about it, space travel used to feel quite distant from us ordinary folks. However, things have changed in recent years. The space station is now operating regularly, lunar landing plans are advancing step by step, and commercial spaceflight is beginning to emerge. Space travel is no longer just high-profile news in the newspapers; it is genuinely starting to influence our lives.

2026 is just around the corner, and given the current pace of China’s space endeavors, I can boldly say: barring any accidents, starting this year, China’s space industry will undergo three major changes, all of which are closely related to us ordinary people.

Don’t rush to say I’m bragging; let’s look at the facts.

In 2024, commercial spaceflight was first included in the government work report and listed as one of the new engines for growth. What does this mean? It means that space is no longer just an area dominated by the national team; private companies can now openly engage in rockets, spacecraft, and space tourism.

You might ask, what does this have to do with us? It has a lot to do with us.

In the past, going to space was solely the domain of astronauts, a select few; ordinary people couldn’t even dream of it. But now, the core logic of commercial spaceflight is to make space accessible to ordinary people. America’s SpaceX has already taken several “non-professionals” to space, and while the ticket prices are outrageously high, that’s because the technology hasn’t become widespread yet. Our country is taking a different route: first, reduce costs, then improve services.

Let me do the math for you. Ten years ago, launching one kilogram of cargo into space cost about $10,000 to $20,000. Now, with the maturity of rocket recovery technology and the entry of commercial space companies, this cost is decreasing at a visible rate. According to industry predictions, by around 2026, the cost of near-Earth space travel could drop to several hundred thousand RMB per trip.

Several hundred thousand sounds like a lot, but think about it: twenty years ago, flying on a plane was still a luxury; now, who thinks flying is just for the “rich”? Space travel is the same; from tens of millions to hundreds of thousands, and then to tens of thousands, this process won’t take too long.

Moreover, our country’s commercial space companies are not just talking the talk. A company called “CAS Space” has already announced plans to launch suborbital space travel projects around 2026. What does suborbital mean? It means flying to an altitude of about 100 kilometers, staying there for about ten minutes to experience weightlessness, see the curvature of the Earth, and then return. The time is short, but it’s enough for you to boast about it for a lifetime.

Another detail worth noting is that by 2025, the Hainan commercial space launch site will be in regular operation. This is our country’s first launch site specifically for commercial space use, essentially a “green light” for private rocket companies. In the past, private companies had to queue up to use the national launch sites, waiting for half a year or more. Now, with our own site, they can launch whenever they want, increasing frequency and naturally lowering costs.

So by 2026, you might see posts in your social media feed like this: “Today I took a trip to space; the feeling of weightlessness was amazing. Next time, I’ll take my parents along.” Don’t be surprised; this will be the daily norm after commercial space becomes widespread.

Here’s something you might not know: many things in your home are products of space technology “coming down to Earth.”

Let’s start from the kitchen. You’ve probably bought “freeze-dried fruits” and “freeze-dried coffee” at the supermarket, right? They’re crispy, retain nutrients well, and aren’t cheap. What was this technology originally used for? It was for astronauts to eat in space. Cooking in space is impossible, so food must be lightweight, storable, and ready to eat after rehydration, leading to the development of freeze-drying technology. Now that the technology has matured and costs have come down, ordinary people can also enjoy “space-grade” snacks at home.

Now let’s talk about something related to clothing. You might have bought “self-heating” or “temperature-regulating” thermal underwear from sports brands during winter. The phase change material technology used in these products was initially developed for spacesuits. In space, temperatures vary greatly: one side exposed to the sun can reach over 100 degrees, while the shaded side can drop below minus 100 degrees; spacesuits must automatically regulate temperature. Now this technology has been adapted into everyday thermal clothing that you can buy for just a few hundred bucks, lightweight and warm.

And then there’s the navigation we use every day. Whether you’re hailing a ride, ordering takeout, or driving with GPS, you’re relying on the BeiDou system. What is BeiDou? It is our country’s own global satellite navigation system. In the past, we used GPS, which is American and can be turned off at any time. Now that BeiDou has completed its global network, its accuracy is even higher than GPS and is entirely under our control. The delivery person can precisely find your home thanks to BeiDou.

After 2026, this “technology coming down to Earth” will accelerate. Let me share a few developments that are on the horizon:

The first is “space-bred” vegetables and fruits. Seeds taken to space, exposed to microgravity and high radiation for a while before being brought back to plant, yield crops that are higher in yield, resistant to pests, and taste better. Space peppers and space tomatoes are already being cultivated, and by 2026, you might be able to buy “space-bred” labeled produce in supermarkets at prices similar to regular vegetables but larger and tastier.

The second is “aerogel” insulation materials. This is the lightest solid in the world, with insulation capabilities several times that of regular materials, originally used in spacecraft. Now that the technology has come down to Earth, it’s being made into building insulation materials and outdoor gear. By 2026, you might find this material used for insulation in your home renovation, potentially saving a lot on heating bills during winter.

The third is “water recycling purification systems.” The water consumed on the space station is essentially recycled from astronauts’ urine and sweat, with a purification rate exceeding 98%. This technology is already being implemented in remote areas, islands, and disaster relief sites. By 2026, small household water recycling purification devices are likely to hit the market, with prices around a few thousand yuan, capable of turning shower water and vegetable washing water into drinkable water, significantly reducing water costs.

You see, space technology is not something high above us; it’s right around you, quietly improving your life.

The third change may directly relate to your wallet, as the aerospace industry is landing on a large scale, creating numerous job opportunities.

In the past, when talking about space jobs, the immediate response was “scientists” and “engineers,” which seemed daunting. However, the space industry chain now stretches from research and manufacturing to launch services, data applications, and tourism experiences, revealing a long chain filled with opportunities for ordinary people.

Let me break it down for you.

The first area is “manufacturing.” Rockets and satellites used to be produced in a “handcrafted” manner, with very few made each year. Now, with commercial space companies entering the field, “assembly line” production has begun, allowing dozens of satellites to be produced in a year. This has created a large number of manufacturing jobs, including CNC operation, welding, assembly, and inspection… these jobs don’t require a PhD; skilled workers from technical schools can do them, starting salaries can easily exceed ten thousand.

The second area is “application.” Once satellites are launched, they aren’t just for show; they need to generate data. How is this data used? Who uses it? This has led to a large number of “satellite data application” positions. For instance, in agricultural remote sensing, satellites capture images of farmland, analyze soil moisture and crop growth, and guide farmers on precise fertilization and pest control. This role requires some understanding of remote sensing and agriculture knowledge but doesn’t necessarily require a background in aerospace. Similar positions exist in urban management, traffic planning, and environmental monitoring, all of which are hiring extensively.

The third area is “services.” With the rise of commercial space, someone has to provide supporting services like aerospace education, space tourism guides, aerospace-themed dining, and space cultural products… these positions are less related to aerospace technology and have lower entry barriers for ordinary people. I know a young man born in the '90s who opened a guesthouse near the Wenchang Space Launch Center, specifically catering to tourists coming to see rocket launches, earning over a million a year. He said that on launch days, the guesthouse prices can triple, and it’s hard to find a room.

The fourth area is “new professions.” Around 2026, as space travel gradually opens up, a whole new set of professions will emerge. For example, “space tour guides” will take tourists to space, explain the experience of weightlessness, and teach them how to take pictures in space. There will also be “space farmers” growing vegetables and mushrooms in the space station or lunar base to supply space meals. Additionally, “space psychological counselors” will help astronauts and space tourists deal with psychological issues during long missions.

These jobs may sound like science fiction, but they are already on the way. By 2024, our country has already begun publicly recruiting “payload specialists,” which are essentially a type of astronaut, except you don’t have to be a fighter pilot; as long as you have expertise and pass health checks, you qualify. With the development of commercial space, these “semi-professional” space jobs will increase, making it no longer a fantasy for ordinary people to “go on business trips” in space.

I also noticed a statistic: by the end of 2024, there will be over 500 registered commercial space companies in the country, employing over 100,000 people. This number may not seem large, but the growth rate is astonishing, doubling every year or more. By 2026, this industry could absorb over 500,000 jobs, without discriminating against education or professional background; as long as you are willing to learn and work hard, you will have a chance to enjoy a “space job.”

In conclusion

While writing this article, I kept pondering one question: why should we ordinary folks pay attention to space?

Some might say it’s for national pride, which is certainly true. But I want to emphasize that space is not a “vanity project” far removed from life; it is genuinely becoming a part of our lives.

Space travel will become as common as flying on a plane, space technology will become everyday products in your home, and the aerospace industry will create job opportunities around you. These changes are not distant futures but are things that will start happening gradually from 2026.

Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day. The development of commercial space will also face technological bottlenecks, cost pressures, and safety risks, but these do not prevent us from seeing a clear trend: space is moving from being a “national team” endeavor to “nationwide participation,” from “high-tech” to “down-to-earth.”

Finally, I want to ask you in front of the screen: if the price of space travel drops to a range you can accept, would you be willing to take a trip? What would you most want to experience? Feel free to share in the comments.

See you in the comments section.