Kathmandu— A series of recent milestones, including the August 5th launch of a Smart Dragon-3 rocket from east China and the first successful controlled recovery of a rocket stage via net capture at sea, highlight China's rapid advancements in maritime space operations. These developments are bolstering the nation’s commercial space industry by enabling offshore launches, reducing costs through reusable rockets, and supporting plans for expansive low-orbit satellite constellations. The Haiyang Oriental Spaceport in Shandong Province has been central to this progress, evolving from a launch service provider into a standard setter for sea-based operations.

Rising Maritime Spaceport Capacity

The Haiyang Oriental Spaceport has supported 27 successful sea-based rocket launches since 2019, deploying a total of 166 satellites. The spaceport now boasts the country’s largest facility for solid-rocket assembly and testing, with an annual capacity of 50 rockets and 50 propellant tanks, attracting over 30 aerospace projects totaling 32 billion yuan (approximately $4.74 billion) in investment. Teng Yao, chief engineer of the Oriental Maritime Spaceport (Shandong) Development Group, noted that the spaceport has transitioned from simply providing a service to establishing industry standards.

Strategic Advantages of Sea Launches

Experts believe sea-based launches and recovery are well-suited for China’s ambitions to build large low-orbit satellite constellations. Mobile sea platforms offer flexibility in orbital inclinations, minimize risks to populated areas, and reduce delays caused by weather conditions. Open waters also provide safer zones for recovering reusable rockets, which require substantial landing areas away from cities. While challenges exist due to complex maritime conditions like waves and currents, Teng Yao argues that the benefits of flexibility and safety outweigh these difficulties.

Evolution of China’s Sea Launch Capabilities

China's commercial sea-based launch program has followed a clear progression. The Long March-11 achieved the nation’s first sea launch in 2019, followed by years of validation launches off Haiyang. More recently, on July 22nd, the Gravity-1 Y4 rocket—developed by private firm OrienSpace—launched from waters near Shanghai, marking China's first commercial sea launch from the East China Sea. This mission tested the rocket’s resilience in challenging conditions and demonstrated adaptability to complex marine environments. The recent SD-3 launch further solidifies the spaceport’s ability to conduct launches from various locations at sea.

Breakthroughs in Rocket Recovery Technology

On July 10th, China achieved a historic first with the successful controlled recovery of a Long March-10B rocket's first stage using a net capture system off Hainan Island. This innovative approach eliminates the need for landing legs, reduces structural weight, and allows for greater flexibility in capturing rockets at sea. The recovery platform utilizes LiDAR tracking and dynamic positioning to operate reliably even in rough seas. Private companies like OrienSpace and iSpace are also developing reusable rockets designed for sea recovery, with maiden flights anticipated by late 2026.

Supportive Policy Environment

China’s government is actively supporting the growth of its commercial space sector. The country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) prioritizes strengthening aerospace capabilities, and aviation/aerospace has been identified as an emerging pillar industry. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) released a three-year action plan in November 2025 to integrate the commercial space sector into national strategy, opening access to key resources like launch pads and frequency allocations for private enterprises.

With reusable rocket technology maturing and demand for satellite internet increasing, sea-based launch infrastructure is becoming increasingly vital. Teng Yao believes China’s commercial space industry has established a firm foundation at sea and is poised for continued growth.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.