China's first seaborne rocket launch is scheduled for mid-2019 with a Long March-11 carrier rocket set to blast off in the Yellow Sea.

 

中国首次海上火箭发射计划于2019年中期进行，届时一枚长征11号运载火箭将在黄海上点火升空。

 

China has achieved a breakthrough in the key technologies for seaborne launches, Jin, of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, told a press conference by the China Aerospace¹ Science and Technology Corporation on Tuesday.

 

The Long March-11, with a length of 20.8 meters and a takeoff weight of about 57.6 tonnes, is the only rocket using solid propellants among China's new generation carrier rockets. It has a relatively² simple structure and can be launched in a short time.

 

After leaving port, the rocket could be launched within a week, said Jin.

 

The rocket can carry a payload of up to 350 kg to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 km and 700 kg to a low-Earth orbit at 200 km. It is mainly used to carry small satellites, and can take multiple satellites into orbit at the same time.

 

A seaborne launch has many advantages over a land launch, Jin said. For instance, the launch site is flexible, and falling rocket remains³ pose less danger.

 

Using civilian⁴ ships to launch rockets at sea would lower launch costs and give it a commercial edge, said Jin.

 

It will also help lay the groundwork for developing reusable rockets and recovery technologies at sea.

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