China Rocket Co., Ltd. is a key player in China’s expanding commercial space industry. Founded in July 2016 as a subsidiary of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), China Rocket was established to commercialize space launch services and provide flexible, affordable access to space. The company’s mission is to make satellite launches faster, more efficient, and more accessible for domestic and international clients.

Since its formation, China Rocket has quickly built a strong track record by offering a range of innovative launch solutions, including solid-fueled rockets capable of rapid deployment and sea-based launch operations. Their goal is to support China’s growing space economy and serve commercial, governmental, and scientific operators around the world.

---

Launch Vehicles and Launch Sites

China Rocket primarily uses two main launch vehicles:

• Jielong-1 (Smart Dragon-1): A small, solid-fueled rocket designed for quick-response satellite launches.
• Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3): A larger solid-fueled launch vehicle, capable of delivering heavier payloads into Sun-synchronous and low Earth orbits.

China Rocket is known for its sea-based launch operations, utilizing the Dongfang Hangtiangang platform located off the coast of Haiyang City, Shandong Province, in the Yellow Sea. Sea-based launches offer advantages like flexible orbital insertion and reduced risk to populated areas.

Key Launch Sites:

• Yellow Sea (Dongfang Hangtiangang Platform) – for sea-based launches.
• Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) – for land-based missions.

---

Key Launch Dates and Missions

Some important missions launched by China Rocket include:

• Jielong-1 Maiden Flight – August 17, 2019
  • Launch Site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
  • Payload: Three small satellites for commercial operators.
• Jielong-3 First Sea Launch – December 9, 2022
  • Launch Site: Yellow Sea (Sea Platform)
  • Payload: 14 satellites including Earth observation and technology demonstration satellites for various Chinese commercial clients.
• Jielong-3 Sea Launch – September 24, 2024
  • Launch Site: Yellow Sea (Dongfang Hangtiangang Platform)
  • Payloads:
    • Tianyi-41 for Tianyi Research Institute (Earth observation)
    • Xingshidai-15, -21, -22 for Spacety Co., Ltd. (technology demonstration)
    • Fudan-1 for Fudan University (educational and scientific research)
    • Tianyan-15 (Final Frontier-1) for Final Frontier Aerospace Technology (remote sensing)

---

Notable Achievements

• First Chinese company to successfully perform a sea-based commercial rocket launch.
• Developed quick-launch capabilities for small satellites, enabling flexible mission planning.
• Contributing to China’s broader goals of space commercialization and fostering private-sector participation in space activities.

---

Why China Rocket Matters

China Rocket plays a vital role in the modernization of China’s space industry by offering commercial satellite launch services, quick response missions, and innovative sea-based launches. Their operations enable satellite operators from research institutes, commercial companies, and government agencies to access space more affordably and efficiently.

With a focus on technological innovation, flexibility, and customer-oriented solutions, China Rocket is set to continue its growth in the global space market.

Rideshare missions by China Rocket Co., Ltd.

Rideshare Mission	Launch date	Launch vehicle	Spacecraft launched	Orbit
Geely Constellation Group 06	24 September 2025	Jielong-3 (SD-3)	12	LEO
Geely Constellation Group 05	9 September 2025	Jielong-3 (SD-3)	11	LEO
Geely Constellation Group 04	8 August 2025	Jielong-3 (SD-3)	11	LEO
Jielong-3 Flight Y4	24 September 2024	Jielong-3 (SD-3)	8	SSO
Jielong-3 Flight Y3	3 February 2024	Jielong-3 (SD-3)	9	SSO
Jielong-3 Flight Y1	9 December 2022	Jielong-3 (SD-3)	15	SSO
Jielong-1 Flight Y1	17 August 2019	Jielong-1 (SD-1)	3	SSO