Shandong province has advanced its role in China's commercial space industry with the Sept 9 launch of the Smart Dragon-3 Y7 from an offshore platform, its second mission in just one month. The province is emerging as a hub for sea-based launch activity, industrial development, and satellite manufacturing.

According to Wang Chao of the Shandong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the region has completed 18 sea launch missions to date, sending 115 satellites into orbit. Officials emphasized that the clustering effect of the space industry is becoming increasingly pronounced across the province.

Specialization is emerging across key cities. Yantai is handling mission coordination and rocket component manufacturing, Jinan is concentrating on satellite research and

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