Gravity-1 (launch vehicle)

2024: Rocket Launch

On January 11, 2024, Chinesestartup OrienSpace formed in 2020, it launched the world's most powerful solid fuel rocket, Gravity-1. A successful launch was made on the first attempt, which is an important achievement for the commercial space sector. PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The rocket, according to SpaceNews, launched from a floating platform Defu-15002 in the Yellow Sea. Three Yunyao-1 satellites, which are designed to monitor weather and earthquakes, acted as payloads: all of them were put into target orbits. The spacecraft are manufactured by Changguang Satellite Technology (CGST), which specializes in the manufacture of Earth remote sensing satellites.

Launch of Gravity-1

The Gravity-1 carrier consists of a central unit and four side accelerators. The rocket is capable of delivering up to 6500 kg of payload to low Earth orbit or 3700 kg to a 700-kilometer solar-synchronous orbit using the third stage, which uses a kerosene-liquid oxygen fuel pair. The carrier height is about 30 m. Solid propellant rocket engines are provided by the Academy of Aerospace Solid Propellant Propulsion Technologies at the Chinese Aerospace Scientific and Technical Corporation (CASC). The components for the carrier are supplied by Rspace with factories in Shandong.

OrienSpace CEO Yao Song says the company has received orders to launch hundreds of satellites. The company, as noted, can take part in the formation of a number of promising satellite constellations. Two more starts of the Gravity-1 are scheduled for 2024. In addition, the startup designs Gravity-2 and Gravity-3 media. Moreover, the Gravity-3 is expected to be able to deliver up to 8000 kg of payload to the transitional orbit of the moon.^[1]

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