The ‘Chinese SpaceX’ Will Test Space Balloon Flights With Animals This Year

Kuang-Chi Science Limited, a Shenzhen-based tech company, has drawn comparisons in Chinese media to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for its ambitious projects, ranging from exoskeleton power suits to spacecraft.

While the company, founded in 2010, has yet to hold a flame to the achievements of SpaceX, they are attacking innovation with the hold-your-breath-optimisim that has become typical of China’s new tech companies.

Their latest bet? A near space tourism project that will involve sending paid customers almost 79,000 ft. (24km) above the earth’s service in a balloon aircraft dubbed the ‘Traveler Beta II.’

What you get

Full access to all premium content and our full archives

Members'-only newsletters

Preferential access and discounts to all TechNode events

Direct access to the TechNode newsroom