The world’s strongest solid-fuel rocket simply aced its third-ever mission.
Gravity-1, a distinctively squat and stubby rocket, launched Tuesday night time (July 21) from the deck of a ship stationed off the coast of Shanghai.
Liftoff occurred at 10:54 p.m. EDT (0254 GMT and 10:54 a.m. Beijing time on July 22), based on the state-run Chinese language outlet Xinhua, which further reported that every one 9 satellites reached “their designated orbits.” Particulars about these satellites weren’t offered.
Gravity-1 is operated by Orienspace, an organization primarily based within the jap Chinese language province of Shandong. The rocket stands about 100 ft (30 meters) tall — lower than half the peak of SpaceX‘s workhorse Falcon 9 car.
Gravity-1 consists of three core phases and 4 strap-on boosters, all of which characteristic stable rocket motors. The launcher can haul as much as 14,300 kilos (6,500 kilograms) of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO), making it the most powerful solid rocket in the world. (For comparison: The liquid-fueled Falcon 9 can deliver a maximum of 50,265 pounds, or 22,800 kg, to LEO.)
The Chinese vehicle now has three flights under its belt, all of which launched from ships at sea and achieved full mission success. Gravity-1’s first two flights occurred in January 2024 and October 2025.
There won’t be such a long gap before Gravity-1 flies again, if all goes to plan. The rocket is expected to launch a batch of Chinese internet satellites in the next few months, according to the state-run outlet CGTN.
And Orienspace’s ambitions do not finish with Gravity-1. The corporate can also be creating Gravity-2 and Gravity-3, bigger, extra highly effective rockets that may characteristic liquid-fueled core phases and stable rocket boosters.
Gravity-2 could possibly be able to fly by the tip of the 12 months, CGTN reported. And that car will probably elevate off from an ocean-based pad as properly.
“Sea launch of solid-propellant rockets paves the best way for future launch of liquid rockets at sea,” stated Gravity-1 chief designer Xu Guoguang, based on CGTN. “We’re additionally contemplating different strategies, similar to launching from drilling platforms.”
