China's private space company Orienspace achieved a milestone in commercial spaceflight when its Gravity-1 rocket successfully lifted off from a barge in the Yellow Sea on Friday night. The solid-fuel rocket launched at 10.20 am (Beijing Time) on October 10, carrying three satellites into near-polar orbits. This marks only the second orbital launch for the startup company, which was founded in 2020, following its inaugural Gravity-1 flight in January 2024.
The launch took place from a specially modified barge near the coast of Haiyang in Shandong Province, with support from the Haiyang Oriental Spaceport, China's first dedicated sea launch facility. The rocket pierced through cloudy skies, leaving trails of smoke and debris around the launch platform as it climbed toward space. Orienspace broadcast the event live, an uncommon practice for Chinese space missions, demonstrating growing transparency in the country's commercial space sector.
The mission successfully deployed three satellites for different purposes. The Jilin-1 Wideband 02B07 satellite, built for Changguang Satellite Technology, is a high-resolution optical satellite capable of capturing extremely clear Earth images with 0.5-metre resolution, meaning it can identify objects as small as half a meter across while covering a 150-kilometre-wide area in a single pass. The satellite has already transmitted sharp images of high-latitude regions in Russia. The other two payloads, Shutian Yuxing-01 and Shutian Yuxing-02, were constructed by Geespace, the space division of automotive manufacturer Geely, using their GSP50 platform designed for 50 kg satellites suitable for various space applications.
“The Gravity-1 rocket is an impressive three-stage vehicle with four boosters, capable of carrying up to 6,500 kg to low Earth orbit or approximately 3,700 kg to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit when equipped with a kerosene-liquid oxygen third stage. According to Orienspace, this second flight incorporated several internal upgrades to enhance quality, consistency, and reliability. The successful mission validated the rocket's capability to launch multiple satellites from sea-based platforms for future constellation projects,” explained space analyst Girish Linganna.
Interestingly, Orienspace is among numerous Chinese space startups competing for contracts to deploy satellites for China's ambitious mega-constellation projects, Guowang and Qianfan. The company raised substantial funding between $27 million and $124 million in August to develop its next-generation Gravity-2 rocket, a reusable liquid-fuel vehicle standing 70-metre-tall. The first-stage static fire test was completed in July, and the maiden flight could occur before year's end. The Gravity-2, powered by nine Yuanli-85 engines, promises significantly higher payload capacity, with capabilities ranging from 21,500 kg to potentially 29,000 kg to low Earth orbit depending on configuration.
Sea-based rocket launches offer several distinct advantages over traditional ground-based facilities. “Launching from barges provides flexibility in choosing launch locations closer to the equator, which can increase payload capacity due to Earth's rotational speed. It also enables better access to various orbital inclinations without flying over populated areas, reducing safety concerns and eliminating the need for expensive exclusion zones. Sea launches can avoid geopolitical restrictions associated with territorial boundaries and reduce costs by eliminating the need for permanent launch infrastructure in remote locations,” pointed out Linganna.
However, at the same time sea launches also present unique challenges. The corrosive marine environment is indeed a significant concern, requiring special protective coatings and materials resistant to salt-water exposure for both the rocket and launch platform. “The barge must be engineered to withstand the enormous forces and heat generated during lift-off while maintaining stability in ocean conditions. Weather sensitivity increases dramatically, as launches depend on favourable sea states in addition to atmospheric conditions. The logistics of fuelling, integration, and transporting rockets to offshore platforms are more complex than ground operations. Emergency response and recovery operations are also more challenging at sea,” added Linganna.
Regarding corrosion, modern aerospace engineering has developed advanced anti-corrosive treatments, specialised alloys, and protective systems that can effectively mitigate salt-water damage. Regular maintenance protocols and careful material selection help ensure the launch platform and rocket components remain operational despite harsh marine conditions.
Experts point out that India certainly has the technical capability to emulate sea-based launches. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) possesses extensive experience with various launch vehicles and has demonstrated technological sophistication through missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. India's extensive coastline and established maritime infrastructure provide geographical advantages. However, developing sea launch capabilities would require significant investment in specialised platforms, new operational procedures, and regulatory frameworks. Given India's successful and cost-effective ground-based launch facilities, the immediate necessity for sea launches may be limited unless specific mission requirements or commercial opportunities justify the investment.
Friday's mission was China's 60th orbital launch of 2025, with only one failure recorded so far, showcasing the nation's rapidly expanding space capabilities and the growing maturity of its commercial space sector.