China's first space launch from sea planned for later this year

China's first carrier launch from a sea-based launch pad is planned for 2018, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced on Tuesday.

China launches two high-resolution optical remote sensing satellites Jilin-1 Video 07 and 08 using a Long March-11 rocket into orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on January 19, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

The sea-based launch is one of five Long March-11 carrier rocket launches planned for this year, although only one sea-based launch is planned. The four land-based launches are for commercial satellite companies.

Yang Yiqiang, chief commander of Long March-11 carrier rocket program, said the sea launch is designed to meet the need for a low inclination orbit satellite launch, which places the satellite relatively close to the Earth's equator rather than the poles.

The Long March-11 is the only solid-propellant rocket in the Long March family. Although it is smaller than the liquid-propellant versions of the Long March, it is capable of sending both small scientific experimental satellites and commercial satellites into space, according to Peng Kunya, chief designer of the Long March-11.