China's First Reusable Rocket Explodes, But Its Ethernet Network Soars

Major Developments in Asia: From Space Exploration to Cybersecurity

Asia continues to make headlines with a series of significant developments across various sectors, from space exploration to cybersecurity and technological advancements. Here's a closer look at the latest updates.

China's Reusable Rocket Attempt Ends in Explosion

Chinese rocketry company LandSpace recently attempted to launch what it hoped would be the country’s first reusable rocket, the Zhuque-3 Y1. The rocket successfully lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone and placed its second stage into the desired orbit. However, the planned soft landing of its first stage went awry, resulting in an explosion.

Despite the setback, LandSpace celebrated the mission for demonstrating several new technologies. These include a nine-engine parallel liquid oxygen-methane propulsion system, advanced aerodynamic and flight control technology, and innovative welding techniques that reduced manufacturing costs by 80 percent.

The company also highlighted breakthroughs in online trajectory optimization, attitude stabilization, and high-precision control technologies under complex constraints. Additionally, the rocket used a high-bandwidth, high-reliability real-time communication platform based on high-speed Powerlink real-time Ethernet, allowing communication speeds exceeding 100Mbps—significantly faster than traditional systems.

South Korea Enhances Cybersecurity Measures

In response to a recent data breach at e-tailer Coupang, which exposed data for over half of South Korea's population, the government has announced plans to strengthen security certifications. Coupang has apologized for the incident and reported no evidence of stolen data being reused.

South Korea aims to implement stricter infosec standards for major online players and require post-incident audits to identify the causes of failures. This move is intended to prevent similar incidents in the future.

APAC Datacenter Capacity to Triple by 2029

According to analyst firm IDC, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s datacenter capacity is expected to triple by 2029. Currently, the region houses 51,887 MW of compute capacity, which is projected to reach 142,600 MW by 2029.

This growth is driven by rising demand for AI, cloud, and other digital services. Major construction and expansion projects in India, Malaysia, Japan, and Southeast Asia are also contributing to this trend. These new facilities are reshaping the region's digital infrastructure to meet next-generation compute needs.

Malaysia Combats Illegal Bitcoin Mining

Malaysia has launched a task force to combat illegal bitcoin mining operations that have led to over $1 billion in energy theft. Authorities have identified around 14,000 illicit mining sites in the past five years, causing a 300 percent increase in electricity theft.

The task force will use drones, thermal scanners, and other technologies to identify mining operations. While cryptocurrency mining is legal in Malaysia, strict regulations have led to a surge in illegal activities.

Canon Shuts Down Printer Factory in China

Japanese company Canon has closed its printer factory in Guangdong province due to declining global and local demand for laser printers. A spokesperson for Canon stated that the closure was necessary given the falling demand.

However, Canon's other operations in China continue as usual.

Pakistan Launches Scholarship Program to Boost Tech Skills

The Pakistani province of Punjab has launched the Hunarmand Punjab scholarship scheme to encourage young people to learn tech skills and become freelance workers. The program offers selected participants a free laptop and solar panel, along with opportunities to win a free e-bike.

Courses available include Python programming, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and WordPress development. The initiative aims to build a technology services industry through gig-work platforms like Fiverr and Freelancer.com.