Chinese private company Orienspace has completed the third launch of its solid-fuel Gravity-1 rocket, also known as YL-1. The vehicle lifted off from a platform in the East China Sea on 22 July.
The rocket placed nine satellites into low Earth orbit. The payload comprised six Dongpo spacecraft along with Xiguang-2-01, Tianyi-49 and Zidingxiang-3.
Gravity-1 is about 30 metres tall, has a launch mass of roughly 400 tonnes and produces about 600 tonnes of thrust at liftoff. It is designed to carry up to 6.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit or 4.2 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit.
About nine months passed between the second and third launches. The gap between the first and second flights was 21 months, indicating a faster mission preparation cycle.
A sea platform allows the operator to choose a launch area over open water and reduce risks associated with a rocket flying over populated territory. Orienspace is using the arrangement for commercial satellite missions.
