Gravity-1: Launch of China's 'Most Powerful' Solid-Fuel Commercial Rocket

Gravity-1: Launch of China's 'Most Powerful' Solid-Fuel Commercial Rocket

The first launch of the Gravity-1 solid-fueled rocket took place from a sea-based platform off the coast of Haiyang, Shandong Province, China, on January 11, 2024, at 05:30 UTC (13:30 local time). Gravity-1 was designed by the Chinese aerospace company OrienSpace to launch payloads of up to 6.5 tons to low-Earth orbit (LEO), up to 4.2 tons to a 500km Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) or up to 3.7 tons to a 700km Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). It is nearly twice as heavy as the European Space Agency’s Vega-C, the previous record holder.

Gravity-1 successfully launched three Yunyao-1 satellites. The Yunyao-1 satellites are for Tianjin, China-based Yunyao Yuhang. Yunyao plans to construct a satellite constellation to provide data for global weather forecasting.

OrienSpace's launch of China's most powerful commercial solid-fuel rocket is a coup for the country's private aerospace sector. Gravity-1 represents a 'significant advancement in independent innovation within China’s commercial carrier rockets’, according to the official Aerospace China newspaper.

Gravity-1 has a thrust of 600 tonnes and can lift 6.5 tonnes of cargo into near Earth orbit. The rocket’s cargo compartment—4.2 meters in diameter and 9 meters tall (13.7 by 30 feet)—is spacious enough to accommodate cargo for the China Space Station, if needed. The Gravity-1 rocket can support the launch of up to 30 satellites weighing 100kg (220lbs) each, according to Aerospace China. The Gravity-1 consists of seven solid rocket motors. The bundling and separation of large solid rocket boosters has been a challenge around the world.

The Gravity-1 Mission was the fourth Chinese orbital launch of 2024 as of Jan. 11. It followed shortly after a Kuaizhou-1A solid rocket launch Jan. 11 (UTC) and the Jan. 9 launch of the China-Europe Einstein Probe.

OrienSpace has not disclosed the cost of its first launch, but chief operating officer Wei Kai said the company had adopted a series of measures to establish a large-scale, convenient and low-cost launch service model.

Its factory in Haiyang will achieve an annual production capacity of 20 rockets, he said.

The use of solid fuel is "convenient and safe." It allows for the process of rocket assembly, testing and launch to be completed within a 5km radius, significantly reducing production time and cost.

Offshore launches offer additional advantages in terms of safety and frequency with potential for weekly launch missions using a single vessel, according to OrienSpace.

Wei told Aerospace China the Gravity-1 rocket structure was designed for rapid mass production. Its core and boosters have the same diameter, simplifying the manufacturing process and significantly improving manufacturing efficiency, while cutting production costs.

Chief designer Bu Xiangwei said the firm’s improvements—such as enclosing the rocket in a white protective cover before transport and launch—had saved considerable costs.

The flexible cover kept the rocket’s temperature at around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and isolated external rain and snow.

“Through such an inflatable protective cover, we can achieve a low-cost and simplified environmental support system for carrier rockets,” Bu said, according to Aerospace China.

“The juncture where the rocket booster meets the core stage, no larger than an A4 sheet of paper, must endure a force of roughly 200 tonnes,” said Yao Song, the co-CEO of OrienSpace.

“Its strength must be matched also by its simplicity, ensuring a clean break when the time comes.

“This, indeed, showcases the depth of our technological expertise.”

Behind this feat stands a team of about 100 scientists and engineers who spent about three years carrying out 23 large-scale ground tests of the rocket system, 489 tests of individual components and 1,452 iteration tests to improve the rocket’s overall performance.

As China embarks on an ambitious plan to build a constellation of 13,000 satellites to rival SpaceX’s Starlink, the need for reliable and cost-effective launch vehicles is paramount. Many commercial aerospace companies are eyeing this lucrative opportunity.

OrienSpace said it aimed to achieve liquid rocket recyclability and reusability within two years, increasing its carrying capacity to 15-20 tonnes and further driving down costs.

Video Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)/OrienSpace

Acknowledgements: SciNews/SCMP/SpaceNews

Duration: 1 minute

Release Date: Jan. 11, 2024

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