Gravity-1, operated by Chinese company Orienspace, completed its third successful orbital mission Tuesday night, launching nine satellites from a ship off Shanghai's coast. The 100-foot solid-fuel rocket is the world's most powerful in its class, capable of delivering 6,500 kilograms to low Earth orbit. All three flights to date have launched from ocean platforms and reached their targets.
Gravity-1 stands less than half the height of SpaceX's Falcon 9, which can carry roughly 22,800 kilograms to LEO. The rocket uses three core stages and four solid-fueled boosters. Xinhua reported that all nine satellites reached their designated orbits, though specific details about the payloads were not disclosed. The previous two missions flew in January 2024 and October 2025, both successful.
Orienspace plans another Gravity-1 launch within months carrying Chinese internet satellites. The company is also developing larger variants. Gravity-2, which will use liquid-fueled core stages paired with solid boosters, could fly by year's end and will likely also launch from an ocean platform. A Gravity-3 is also in development.
Gravity-1's chief designer Xu Guoguang indicated that sea launches of solid rockets are laying groundwork for larger liquid-fueled vehicles at sea, per CGTN. The company is also exploring launches from drilling platforms as an alternative. These efforts suggest Orienspace plans to expand its launch cadence and capacity in coming months.