World’s Biggest Solid-Fuel Rocket Takes Off from the Sea: Orienspace’s Gravity-1 Completes Second Launch

China’s private space sector achieved another milestone on October 11, 2025, when the Gravity-1 rocket — the world’s largest solid-fuel orbital launcher — successfully blasted off from a sea-based platform in the Yellow Sea. Developed by Orienspace, this marked the rocket’s second mission and the first commercial flight of its kind, placing three satellites into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

A Powerful Start from the Sea

The Gravity-1 lifted off from a floating launch ship stationed off the coast of Haiyang, Shandong province, producing a thunderous plume of flame as it rose through the morning sky. Unlike most traditional launches that occur from fixed land pads, Orienspace’s decision to deploy from the sea demonstrates China’s increasing interest in mobile, flexible launch operations.

Sea launches offer a number of strategic advantages: they reduce risks of debris falling over populated areas, avoid congested airspace, and allow rockets to be launched along optimal orbital inclinations by repositioning the ship. This operational model, similar to the historical Sea Launch consortium’s approach, positions Orienspace as a pioneer among China’s private launch startups.

The Gravity-1: Engineering China’s Solid Giant

Standing about 30 meters tall and weighing around 405 tonnes at liftoff, the Gravity-1 is built entirely around solid propellant stages — a rarity for an orbital-class vehicle of this scale. According to Orienspace’s data, the rocket can deliver up to 6.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 4.2 tonnes to sun-synchronous orbit.

At launch, the Gravity-1 produces an estimated 600 tonnes of thrust (roughly 6,000 kN), enabling it to lift medium-class payloads to orbit in a single-use configuration. Its multi-stage solid motor stack simplifies operations by eliminating the need for complex liquid fuel systems, making it suitable for rapid response or low-maintenance missions.

This configuration has earned Gravity-1 the distinction of being the most powerful solid-fuel carrier rocket currently in operation — ahead of previous solid launchers like Japan’s Epsilon and the U.S. Minotaur IV.

The Mission: Three Satellites to Orbit

The October mission carried three commercial Earth-observation and meteorological satellites into sun-synchronous orbit, a path ideal for remote sensing due to its consistent lighting conditions.
While Orienspace has not released full details about the customers, reports from Chinese space industry sources suggest the payloads are part of a new small-satellite constellation designed for environmental monitoring and data imaging.

The mission was declared fully successful, with all satellites reaching their intended orbit — marking Orienspace’s first commercial service flight and validating the system for future operational use.

Why Solid Fuel Matters

Solid-fuel rockets have long been valued for their simplicity, reliability, and readiness. Unlike liquid-fueled rockets that require cryogenic storage and complex fueling procedures, solid motors can remain on standby for extended periods and can be launched at short notice.

However, these advantages come at a cost. Solid-fuel rockets lack throttle control and engine restart capability, limiting their flexibility and efficiency compared to liquid-fueled systems. Yet for certain missions — particularly quick-response launches and sea-based operations — the benefits outweigh the tradeoffs.

Orienspace’s engineers have managed to push solid-fuel design to a new level, achieving a payload-to-mass ratio that rivals some smaller liquid-fueled rockets while maintaining logistical simplicity.

How It Compares: Gravity-1 vs. SpaceX Falcon 9

While the Gravity-1 has broken records for solid-fuel power, it’s important to understand its scale in context. Compared to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which dominates the global launch market, Gravity-1 remains smaller in both size and capacity — but it represents a significant leap for the solid-rocket class.

Even though Falcon 9 clearly outperforms Gravity-1 in raw lift capacity, the Gravity-1’s size is unprecedented among solid rockets. It offers a simpler, lower-cost solution for medium payloads, especially where sea-based flexibility or rapid turnaround is desired.

Strategic and Commercial Implications

The success of the second Gravity-1 mission marks a turning point for China’s commercial space ambitions. Orienspace, founded in 2020, has quickly positioned itself as one of China’s leading private launch providers, competing with others like Galactic Energy and LandSpace.

By proving that a large, privately developed, solid-fuel rocket can operate reliably from a maritime platform, Orienspace has opened the door to on-demand, mobile launch services for government and private customers alike.

Furthermore, the low-cost, medium-lift market segment is becoming increasingly competitive worldwide. Gravity-1’s successful demonstration could attract foreign customers seeking affordable access to orbit for constellations and small-satellite clusters — an area where China aims to rival Western commercial launchers.

Orienspace has already hinted at a third Gravity-1 launch in early 2026, potentially carrying a heavier payload and featuring upgraded control systems. Future developments may even include a hybrid configuration with a liquid-fueled kick stage for precise orbital insertions.

For now, Gravity-1’s October 2025 mission stands as a symbol of China’s expanding private aerospace capability — proving that innovation in solid-fuel propulsion still has a place in a world increasingly dominated by reusable liquid systems.

From its thundering liftoff at sea to the precise delivery of satellites hundreds of kilometers above Earth, Gravity-1 has shown that the future of orbital access doesn’t have to be tied to land-based pads or liquid fuel — sometimes, it can start from the rolling waves of the ocean.