China launches satellites for global internet network from sea for first time
The rocket placed nine satellites into orbit and broke two national records
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Photo source: Science and Technology Daily
China has placed nine satellites into their designated orbits from waters off the coast of Shanghai. The launch marked the world’s first mobile sea-based launch of a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation for the deployment of a broadband internet network, reports Science and Technology Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.
The Gravity-1 Y3 launch vehicle successfully delivered eight satellites from the Qianfan constellation (or "Constellation of a Thousand Sails" – a project to deploy a global low-Earth orbit satellite system to provide high-speed internet access) and one Enhanced Ultra High Throughput (EUHT) technology test satellite to their intended orbits.
The flight set two new Chinese records for a single sea-based launch: the payload mass exceeded 3 tonnes, and the injection altitude reached 800 kilometres. This confirmed that the sea-based launch method is fully suitable for medium- and large-sized satellite payloads.
Gravity-1 is a solid-fuelled rocket with a maximum payload capacity of 6.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit. This was its second mobile launch from the Far East, taking place just 56 days after the previous mission.
The rocket once again demonstrated its ability to operate in maritime conditions characterised by high temperatures, humidity and salt fog. This was the first launch dedicated entirely to a mega-constellation of low-Earth-orbit internet satellites.
Development of the Gravity-2, a large reusable liquid-fuelled rocket, is also gathering pace. It is expected to provide a payload capacity of 21.5 tonnes to low Earth orbit and is set to make its debut shortly.
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