China successfully launched the Gravity-1 carrier rocket on 22 July 2026, placing nine satellites into their designated orbits

China successfully launched the Gravity-1 carrier rocket on 22 July 2026, placing nine satellites into their designated orbits

¨     China successfully launched the Gravity-1 carrier rocket on 22 July 2026, placing nine satellites into their designated orbits.

¨     The launch took place from a maritime launch platform in the East China Sea, east of Shanghai.

¨     The rocket was launched at 10:54 a.m. Beijing Time.

¨     Gravity-1 is a solid-fuel carrier rocket.

¨     It was developed by Orienspace, a private Chinese commercial space company.

¨     Gravity-1 is described as the world's most powerful solid-fuel rocket.

¨     This mission marked the third successful flight of the Gravity-1 rocket series.

Satellite Payload

¨     A total of nine satellites were launched.

¨     The satellites included Dongpo-13, Dongpo-14, Dongpo-17, Dongpo-18, Dongpo-19, Dongpo-20, Xiguang-2 01, Tianyi-49, and Lilac-3 (Zidingxiang-3).

¨     The Dongpo satellites are designed for all-weather, all-time Earth observation.

¨     Xiguang-2 01 and Tianyi-49 will support mineral exploration, agriculture, forestry, environmental monitoring, and urban planning.

¨     The mission strengthens China's Earth observation and remote sensing capabilities.

Significance of the Maritime Launch

¨     This was the first far-sea launch of a private commercial rocket in the East China Sea within China's Yangtze River Delta region.

¨     Maritime launch platforms provide safer launch corridors over open water.

¨     They improve safety for rocket stage separation and payload operations.