China launches rocket for commercial use China on Saturday successfully launched its first rocket for commercial use.
China successfully launched its rocket for commercial use on Saturday. According to a report by China’s state-owned television channel CCTV, the move by China’s state-owned space agency will lead to the launch of commercial satellites by private companies in the country. The report stated that the 23-ton Smart Dragon-1 rocket successfully carried three satellites into their designated orbit. It was launched from a place called Geocon Gansu.
China is pushing for the launch of commercial satellites that can provide high-speed Internet services in aircraft to monitor coal shipments. According to the report, the budget for the development of Smart Dragon-1 has not been released by the government. Last month, Beijing’s I-SPACE was the first private company to put its satellite into orbit. However, last year, efforts by two private companies went in vain.
The report said that this launching was done on August 17 at 12.11 pm. All three satellites have entered the orbit. It is worth noting that the Smart Dragon-1 vehicle rocket is a rocket manufactured by Long March Rocket Company, subordinate to Chinese Space Science and Technology Group. It is also the first commercial rocket made by this company. It has a total length of 19.5 meters and a diameter of 1.2 meters.