China's private space company Orienspace successfully launched the Gravity-1 (Yinli-1) carrier rocket on July 22, 2026, from a sea-launch platform in the Yellow Sea at 10:54 AM Beijing time, placing nine satellites into their designated orbits. Gravity-1 is a solid-propellant rocket and is one of the world's largest solid-fuel commercial launch vehicles. Sea-launch capability reduces dependency on fixed launch pads and allows flexibility in orbital inclinations. This is part of China's expanding commercial space sector, which competes with SpaceX Falcon 9 in the small-to-medium satellite launch market.
Science & Tech
China Successfully Launches Gravity-1 Carrier Rocket on July 22 — Sea-Launch; Places 9 Satellites in Designated Orbits
Key Points
- China's private space company Orienspace successfully launched the Gravity-1 (Yinli-1) carrier rocket on July 22, 2026, from a sea-launch platform in the Yellow Sea at 10:54 AM Beijing time, placing nine satellites into their designated orbits
- Gravity-1 is a solid-propellant rocket and is one of the world's largest solid-fuel commercial launch vehicles
- Sea-launch capability reduces dependency on fixed launch pads and allows flexibility in orbital inclinations
- This is part of China's expanding commercial space sector, which competes with SpaceX Falcon 9 in the small-to-medium satellite launch market
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• China Gravity-1 (Yinli-1): sea-launch July 22, 2026; Yellow Sea; places 9 satellites; Orienspace • Gravity-1: solid-propellant rocket; one of world's largest solid-fuel commercial launch vehicles • Sea-launch advantages: flexibility in orbital inclinations; no fixed launch pad dependency • China's commercial space rivals: SpaceX Falcon 9 globally; India: ISRO + Skyroot, Agnikul (private)
