China's Gravity-1 Rocket Successfully Completes Second Sea Launch, Deploying Three Satellites

Successful Second Mission for Gravity-1

China's commercial space sector marked another significant achievement on Saturday, October 11, 2025, as the Gravity-1 carrier rocket successfully completed its second sea launch. The mission, conducted by private rocket maker Orienspace, saw the solid-fueled rocket blast off at 10:20 a.m. Beijing Time from a launch service ship stationed off the coast of Haiyang, Shandong province. It successfully placed three satellites into their designated orbits.

Rocket Capabilities and Commercial Significance

The Gravity-1, also referred to as Gravity-1 Y2 for this mission, is a solid-propellant expendable medium-lift launch vehicle. Standing approximately 30 meters tall and boasting a liftoff weight of around 405 metric tons, it generates a thrust of 600 tons (approximately 6,000 kN). According to Orienspace, the rocket can deliver up to 6.5 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or 4.2 tons to a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Its design incorporates three core stages and four side-mounted solid rocket boosters, totaling seven solid rocket motors. The Gravity-1 holds the distinction of being the world's most powerful solid-fuel carrier rocket and China's most powerful commercial launch vehicle to date. It is also noted as the first and currently only private rocket in China to feature side boosters and the largest fairing.

Payload and Mission Objectives

The recent launch successfully deployed three satellites: an optical remote-sensing satellite and two experimental satellites. Specifically, these payloads included the Jilin-1 Wideband 02B07 for Changguang Satellite Technology, and Geespace's Shutian Yuxing-01 and -02. The mission's primary objectives were to further verify the rocket's reliability, capability, pre-launch preparations, and launch sequence, as well as to demonstrate its ability to handle multiple flight trajectories. Compared to its maiden flight, this second mission showcased 'marked gains in quality, stability and consistency,' indicating a more reliable vehicle. During the launch, the Gravity-1 Y2 executed a precise 40-degree yaw maneuver, shifting its trajectory from southeast to due south within seconds.

Advantages of Sea-Based Launches

The offshore mission was conducted by the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. Orienspace's continued use of sea launch platforms offers several strategic advantages. These include reducing the risk of debris falling over populated inland areas, avoiding congested airspace, and providing flexibility to launch along optimal orbital inclinations by repositioning the launch vessel. This operational model also contributes to rapid response capabilities for satellite deployment.