China's Gravity 1 sets record for solid rocket fuels in maiden launch

China's Gravity 1 sets record for solid rocket fuels in maiden launch
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 12, 2024

Orienspace, a Beijing-based private company, has marked a significant milestone in China's burgeoning space industry with the successful maiden flight of the Gravity 1 rocket, now recognized as the world's most powerful solid-propellant launch vehicle. The rocket's debut took place on Thursday, from a unique launch service ship off the coast of Haiyang in Shandong province.

The Gravity 1, standing at 30 meters tall, demonstrated its prowess by transporting three remote-sensing satellites into an orbit approximately 500 kilometers above Earth. The launch, conducted at 1:30 pm, signifies a major achievement for Orienspace, which was founded in 2020 by a team of seasoned researchers from state-owned space enterprises.

The rocket's design features three core stages and four boosters, all powered by solid-propellant motors. Notably, it is equipped with flexible swinging nozzles, an innovation in rocket technology. With a liftoff weight of 405 metric tons and a thrust of 600 tons, Gravity 1's capabilities are unmatched in the realm of solid-fueled launch vehicles.

Gravity 1's payload capacity is equally impressive, capable of sending spacecraft with a combined weight of 6.5 tons to low-Earth orbit, or 4.2 tons to a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers. These specifications not only establish Gravity 1 as a leader in its class but also as the most powerful rocket developed by a private Chinese company.

A unique aspect of Gravity 1 is its side boosters, a first for any private rocket in China. Furthermore, it boasts the largest fairing among the country's private rockets, enhancing its payload delivery capabilities.

This successful launch propels Orienspace into an elite group of private Chinese companies with their own carrier rockets, joining the ranks of i-Space, Galactic Energy, Space Pioneer, and LandSpace. Gravity 1's entry into the market underscores a significant shift in China's space industry, traditionally dominated by state enterprises, mirroring global trends where private entities are increasingly prominent.

The satellites launched aboard Gravity 1, built by Changguang Satellite Technology, a state-owned enterprise in Jilin province, will be operated by Tianjin Yunyao Aerospace Technology. They are tasked with important functions, including meteorological analysis and forecasting, spatial environmental detection, and ground disaster research and prevention.

Orienspace has emphasized the versatility of Gravity 1, touting it as an ideal option for deploying large groups of satellites in low- and mid-altitude orbits. The company also highlights its potential for sending large spacecraft into space, particularly in emergency response scenarios.

The successful deployment of the Gravity 1 rocket marks a notable step forward in the capabilities of China's private space sector, demonstrating not only technological prowess but also a strategic expansion of the country's space ambitions.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article