Behind the Scenes: China Launches Nine Satellites for Gravity-1 Rocket Mission

Behind the Scenes: China Launches Nine Satellites for Gravity-1 Rocket Mission

China launched nine satellites aboard an Orienspace Gravity-1 carrier rocket from waters east of Shanghai on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. This mission marks the first far-sea launch for the Gravity-1 carrier rocket.

It was also the first far-sea launch mission for a private commercial rocket carried out in the East China Sea waters of the Yangtze River Delta region in China.

The rocket lifted off at 10:54am Beijing time, carrying six Dongpo satellites, along with Xiguang-2 01, Tianyi-49 and Zidingxiang-3.

The Dongpo satellites are designed for all-weather and all-time Earth observation. Xiguang-2 01 and Tianyi-49 are intended to support applications including mineral exploration, agriculture and forestry, environmental monitoring and urban planning, while Zidingxiang-3 will test an ultra-flat satellite design and attitude-control technologies.

This mission was the third flight of the Gravity-1 rocket.

Video Credit: SMG/Xinhua
Duration: 33 seconds
Date: July 22, 2026

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