Chongqing-based private company launches carrier rocket

The OS-X6B suborbital rocket Chongqing Liangjiang Star, developed and made by OneSpace Technology from Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, blasts off from a launch site in China's northwest at 17:05:05 on Friday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The OS-X6B suborbital rocket, developed and made by OneSpace Technology, blasted off from a launch site in China's northwest at 17:05:05 on Friday.

With a length of 9.4 meters, the rocket Chongqing Liangjiang Star flew about 580 seconds and traveled 300 kilometers above the earth.

The test load was successfully separated and the entire flight was normal. This launch successfully completed a number of key technology verification, achieved the greatest possible intelligent measurement, launch and flight, and obtained a large amount of real flight environment data. The test was a complete success, the company said.

It was the fourth launch of OneSpace, a private rocket company in China. It is the first private company in China to design, built and launch a carrier rocket in 2018.

The company adopted vehicle-mounted launch technology to launch the OS-X6B rocket and independently built ground mobile telemetry stations and measuring stations.

It was the first time for China's private rocket companies to complete a rocket launch mission with just a launch vehicle, a ground station, a drone and a PAD within 10 minutes.

As part of a government effort to foster the commercial space sector and encourage participation by private enterprise, OneSpace has become a rising star in the country's space arena.

In 2017, OneSpace Technology signed an agreement with Chongqing Liangjiang Aviation Industry Investment Group to build its research and manufacturing base in Chongqing.

Chongqing Liangjiang New Area is the third national development and opening zone in China - and the first inland location - approved by the State Council, after Shanghai's Pudong New Area and Tianjin's Binhai New Area.