China's aerospace industry demonstrated its growing launch capability and commercial satellite deployment capabilities on Tuesday, successfully carrying out two rocket launch missions in less than 7 hours, sending 12 high-tech satellites into scheduled orbits. This intensive launch operation not only reflects the maturity of China's aerospace technology, but also reflects the vigorous development and diversified launch needs of the commercial aerospace market. With the normal operation of maritime launch platforms and the continuous improvement of remote sensing satellite networks, China is building a comprehensive space infrastructure system covering sea, land, space and space.
At 3:48 am that day, a Kuaizhou-3 rocket ignited from a launch service ship in Rizhao, Shandong, and successfully deployed 11 multi-function satellites to a low-Earth orbit about 600 kilometers from the ground. This is the 7th sea launch of this model rocket, marking the further consolidation of China's sea-based launch capabilities. Just over 6 hours later, the Long March 7A rocket was launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan, accurately sending the remote sensing 45 satellite into the predetermined orbit. This high-frequency, multi-platform launch model is becoming the new normal for China's aerospace activities.
Strategic Value of Marine Launch Platform
On Tuesday, a Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province. [Photo by Meng Zhongde/China Daily]
The successful sea launch of the Kuaizhou-3 rocket highlights China's technological breakthroughs in maneuvering launch capabilities. Compared with traditional land-based launch sites, sea-based launch platforms have unique advantages: flexible launch location, no land restrictions, higher safety, and can more effectively utilize the earth's rotation speed to achieve fuel saving. This launch mode is particularly suitable for the rapid deployment and emergency launch needs of small satellites.
Data from the China Institute of Launch Vehicle Technology shows that the Kuaizhou-3 rocket is 31 meters high, has a diameter of 2.65 meters, and has a take-off weight of 140 tons. It is mainly provided by a high-performance solid engine loaded with 71 tons of propellant. The rocket has the ability to send multiple satellites weighing up to 1.5 tons into a typical solar synchronous orbit of 500 kilometers, and has obvious cost and efficiency advantages in the small satellite launch market.
As of now, China has completed 18 maritime launch missions using four rocket models, including Long March 11, Kuaizhou-3, Ceres-1 and Gravity-1. This figure not only reflects the increasing maturity of China's sea-based launch technology, but also reflects the strong demand for flexible launch methods in the commercial launch market. According to the International Space Research Commission's report, maritime launches are becoming an important trend in the deployment of small satellites around the world, and the global sea-based launch market is expected to reach US$5 billion by 2030.
The 11 satellites launched this time were developed by Space-Time Daoyu Company, a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. They will work in collaboration with the 41 Geely satellites previously deployed to build a more complete low-orbit satellite network. The functions of these satellites cover multiple fields such as marine service data collection, transportation management, power system monitoring, Internet of Things technology verification, inter-satellite communication testing, and environmental pollution monitoring, reflecting the diversified trend of commercial satellite applications.
Continuous expansion of remote sensing satellite network
The remote sensing 45 satellite carried by the Long March 7 A rocket represents the latest progress in China's remote sensing technology. This satellite, developed by the Shanghai Aerospace Technology Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will undertake important tasks such as scientific experiments, land and resources surveys, agricultural output monitoring, and disaster prevention and mitigation. Remote sensing satellites detect and monitor their physical characteristics by measuring the radiation reflected and emitted by ground or sea surface objects, playing an important role in all areas of modern society.
As the main family of remote sensing spacecraft in China, the data obtained by the remote sensing series of satellites has been widely used in government departments, public service fields and commercial institutions. Statistics from the National Remote Sensing Center show that the application value of remote sensing satellite data in urban planning, environmental protection, agricultural monitoring, disaster warning and other aspects exceeds 100 billion yuan per year, becoming an important support for the development of the digital economy.
The Long March 7 A rocket, as China's new generation medium-sized launch vehicle, has a technical specification of a take-off weight of 573 tons and a core stage diameter of 3.35 meters. It can send a 7-ton spacecraft into the geosimultaneous transfer orbit. The successful launch of the rocket marks a further improvement in China's launch capabilities in medium and large satellites, laying the foundation for more complex space missions in the future.
Rapid development of commercial aerospace ecology
Tuesday's dual launch mission reflects the rapid maturity of China's commercial aerospace ecosystem. The participation of private enterprises such as Time and Space Daoyu not only brings new vitality to satellite manufacturing and operation, but also promotes the entire industry to develop towards marketization and commercialization. This development model that combines government leadership and market participation is forming China's unique aerospace industry ecosystem.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's fast boat series rockets are specially designed for the commercial launch market, with the characteristics of fast response speed, low launch cost and simple operation. These solid-fuel rockets can complete preparations within a short time after receiving the launch command, meeting the needs of commercial users for rapid deployment. Compared with the traditional Long March series rockets, the fast boat rocket has obvious economic advantages in small payload launches.
A research report by international consulting firm Europe Consulting shows that the global small satellite market is growing rapidly, and the annual launch volume is expected to exceed 2,000 by 2030. China's share in this market continues to increase, especially in terms of cost control and transmission frequency. The successful operation of commercial rockets such as Kuaizhou-3 has won more opportunities for China in the international commercial launch market.
This launch also reflects the synergistic effect of China's aerospace industry chain. From rocket manufacturing to satellite research and development, from launch services to ground applications, all links have demonstrated high-level technical integration capabilities. This kind of industrial collaboration not only improves the success rate of tasks, but also creates conditions for reducing overall costs.
China's position in the global aerospace competition
This dual launch mission is China's 55th rocket launch in 2025, and it is also the 594th mission of the Long March series rockets. This figure reflects the high frequency and success rate of China's aerospace launch activities, and occupies an important position in the global aerospace launch market. According to the FAA data, the number of global commercial launches hit a record high in 2024, with China contributing an important share.
Breakthroughs of international commercial aerospace companies such as SpaceX in reusable rocket technology have had a significant impact on the global launch cost structure. China's aerospace industry is also actively responding to this trend and is developing reusable rocket technologies to maintain competitiveness in the international market. Projects such as the verification of the recyclable technology of the Long March 8 rocket and the mass production of the Kuaizhou-11 rocket all reflect China's efforts to reduce launch costs.
Traditional aerospace powers such as the European Space Agency and the Russian Aerospace Group are also accelerating the pace of commercialization, and the competition in the global aerospace launch market is becoming increasingly fierce. China maintains a strong momentum in this competition through technological innovation, cost optimization and service improvement. Especially in the Asia-Pacific market, China's launch services are gaining recognition from more and more international customers.
From the perspective of technological development, China's aerospace industry is transforming from a chaser to a leader. In certain sub-sectors, such as offshore launches, solid fuel rockets, etc., China has reached the international advanced level. This technological progress not only enhances China's aerospace strength, but also contributes Chinese wisdom to the development of global aerospace technology.
