At 10:20 a.m. Beijing Time on Saturday, China's commercial carrier rocket Gravity-1 roared to life from a mobile maritime platform off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong Province. In its second sea launch, the mission placed a wide-field satellite and two experimental satellites into their designated orbits, marking a swift follow-up to its January debut flight.
Operated by the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, the offshore mission demonstrated the growing agility of China's private space sector. By launching from open waters, Gravity-1 avoids overland flight corridors and taps into flexible launch windows, a model that’s gaining traction among entrepreneurs and tech innovators worldwide.
With each successful mission, Gravity-1 is staking its claim in the competitive commercial launch market. By delivering diverse payloads—from imaging platforms to experimental probes—this rocket showcases the potential for rapid, cost-effective access to space.
As the global demand for satellite deployments continues to rise, China’s Gravity-1 sea launches highlight new possibilities for startups, researchers, and emerging players seeking reliable lift services. Keep an eye on the next wave of missions as this commercial rocket carves out a new frontier in maritime launches.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
