From the bridge of a launch vessel, witnessing a rocket soar into the sky is more than a technical milestone; it's the culmination of relentless dedication and a shared vision to make space accessible.
At 6:00 AM on September 16th, the launch ship Dongfang Hangtiangang carried the Oriental Space Gravity-1 Yao-3 rocket, igniting over the East China Sea. The mission successfully delivered eight Qianfan constellation satellites and one ultra-high-speed wireless communications test satellite into their designated orbits. Our reporters sailed aboard the vessel, documenting the entire journey from rocket transfer to the triumphant liftoff, and capturing the unwavering commitment of the support crew along the way. Their motivations are simple and sincere: to contribute more to their country and the commercial space industry.
During the voyage, we frequently spotted Song Wenfeng, Deputy Chief Designer of the Gravity-1 structural system, in the command room. He intently monitored two computers and a diagnostic display, pen in hand, recording the rocket's inclination and load data on its support legs. "The marine environment is complex and ever-changing. From the moment we boarded until launch, we've been tracking every parameter," Song explained. "If wave-induced sway exceeds four degrees, it could compromise the rocket's structural integrity." Additionally, the ocean's climate differs vastly from land, exposing satellite and rocket components to high temperatures, humidity, and salt spray, which demands constant vigilance.
On September 15th, the day before launch, the vessel was stationed at the designated position for final preparations. However, rough seas caused the overall sway to approach the four-degree threshold while the crew was removing protective shrouds. "The ship was rocking noticeably, and we were quite anxious working at height," Song recalled. "We were not only worried about our colleagues removing the fairing near the rocket's tip but also concerned about whether the next morning's launch would proceed smoothly."
By the early hours of September 16th, the winds had calmed, and cool sea breezes swept across the deck as sunlight bathed the launch zone. At exactly 6:00 AM, the rocket blasted off, tracing a graceful arc before vanishing into the sky. Prior to liftoff, our reporters joined Xu Guoguang, Chief Designer and Commander of the Gravity-1 rocket, and the rest of the team as they evacuated to a support vessel. After the rocket launched, Xu maintained radio contact with the command ship, and only when the confirmation came that the satellites had separated and entered orbit did his face finally relax into a smile.
"The core of commercial space launches is delivering as many satellites as possible into orbit in the most stable and cost-effective way," Xu noted. Rockets like Gravity-1, which offer strong payload capacity, flexibility, and high cost-efficiency, hold a unique advantage in the industry. As more rockets ascend and more satellites reach orbit, the benefits for everyday people will continue to multiply.
Take the Qianfan satellites from this mission, for example. As a low-orbit broadband satellite internet constellation, they provide integrated space-air-ground-sea connectivity solutions and services. Beyond communications, remote sensing satellites are equally intertwined with daily life. According to Li Jinzhi from Oriental Star Chain Spatiotemporal Intelligence (Shandong) Technology Development Co., Ltd., their two hyperspectral satellites use on-orbit AI processing to convert remote sensing data into ready-to-use information products. From protecting natural landscapes to managing farmland, these applications span agriculture, ecology, and disaster response.
For the industry professionals aboard this voyage, the significance of commercial aerospace is clear. It takes the once-mysterious and advanced field of space technology and popularizes it through commercial and market-driven approaches. It also mobilizes broader participation, inspiring more people to understand, appreciate, and benefit from space innovation. As Xu Guoguang aptly put it: "Humanity is bound to the Earth's surface by gravity, mostly exploring mountains, rivers, and oceans. For most, venturing into space remains out of reach. But exploring the boundaries of human existence requires more forces to join, and we aim to be part of that force."
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