China Makes History with First Sea-Based Satellite Launch

China has successfully placed nine satellites into their designated orbits from waters off the coast of Shanghai, marking the world's first mobile sea-based launch of a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation dedicated to broadband internet deployment, according to TV BRICS.

The Gravity-1 Y3 launch vehicle delivered eight satellites from the Qianfan constellation — a project aimed at deploying a global low-Earth orbit satellite system to provide high-speed internet access — along with one Enhanced Ultra High Throughput (EUHT) technology test satellite, successfully placing all nine into their intended orbits.

The flight set two new Chinese records for a single sea-based launch: the payload mass exceeded 3 tonnes, and the injection altitude reached 800 kilometres, confirming that sea-based launch methods are fully suitable for medium- and large-sized satellite payloads.

Gravity-1 is a solid-fuelled rocket with a maximum payload capacity of 6.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit. This latest mission marked its second mobile launch from the Far East, coming just 56 days after its previous flight. The rocket once again demonstrated its ability to operate reliably in demanding maritime conditions characterised by high temperatures, humidity, and salt fog.

Notably, this was the first launch dedicated entirely to a mega-constellation of low-Earth-orbit internet satellites.

Meanwhile, development of the Gravity-2 — a large, reusable, liquid-fuelled rocket — is also gathering pace. The rocket is expected to offer a payload capacity of 21.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit and is set to make its debut in the near future.