Recently, Beijing WeLight Technology Co., Ltd. successfully convened the review meeting for the Carbon-Fiber Common-Dome Tank Manufacturing Process Plan. This review marks the entry of China's first carbon-fiber rocket's core component – the common-dome tank – into the engineering implementation phase, representing a milestone technological breakthrough in China's commercial space sector.
Carbon-fiber composite tanks are a critical structure for next-generation lightweight rockets. Compared with traditional metal tanks, they significantly reduce vehicle weight and improve launch efficiency, while posing extremely high technical challenges. The carbon-fiber common-dome tank developed by WeLight adopts new materials and an integrated molding process to accommodate both liquid oxygen and methane propellants – marking the first true engineering application of this technology in China's commercial space industry.
The review panel consisted of experts in cryogenic epoxy resin materials, prepreg manufacturing, mold design and fabrication, tooling design and fabrication, structural design and simulation, composite structural design and manufacturing, and overall rocket system design. The panel conducted a comprehensive review of the material system, process route, manufacturing workflow, inspection plans, and test items for the carbon-fiber common-dome tank. The expert panel unanimously agreed that the technical approach proposed by WeLight is rational and feasible, meets the conditions for proceeding to the next phase of trial production, and highly recognized the technical risk control measures outlined in the plan.
"This is not just a plan review – it is a giant leap forward for China's commercial space industry," said Gao Huan, Founder of WeLight. "The development of the carbon-fiber common-dome tank will bring our country's light-lift rocket payload capacity and cost competitiveness to the forefront of the international arena."
As the first private enterprise in China to fully adopt carbon-fiber composite materials for rocket manufacturing, WeLight has been committed since its inception to breaking through traditional technological limitations through material and process innovation. The successful passage of this review marks another solid step forward for WeLight toward its goal of developing a fully carbon-fiber composite rocket, and opens up a new technological pathway for China's commercial space industry.