News Summary

• The three stage rocket can lift around 14,330 pounds (6,500 kilograms or 6.5 metric tons) to low Earth orbit, or 9,260 pounds (4,200 kilograms or 4.2 metric tons) to a sun-synchronous orbit using a kerosene-liquid oxygen third stage, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency..
• Orienspace was founded in 2020, and Gravity-1 marked its first rocket launch; success like this, in which a company’s inaugural launch vehicle reaches orbit on its first attempt, is extraordinarily rare..
• Shandong-based Orienspace pulled off its first-ever launch, breaking the record for the largest payload capacity on a commercial rocket for China’s growing space industry.The Chinese company launched the Gravity-1 rocket on Thursday at 12:30 a.m..
• Gravity-2 will have a liquid-fueled core stage and solid rocket boosters and is designed to loft 25.6 tons to low Earth orbit while Gravity-3 will carry up to 30 tons, according to Space.com..
• In July 2023, a Chinese company became the first in the world to launch a methane-fueled rocket to orbit..
• Solid rockets can be more reliable and easier to handle, while liquid-fueled rockets offer greater flexibility and control over thrust and can be more efficient for larger payloads and longer missions.The Chinese company is already working on two other vehicles, Gravity 2 and 3..