Interstellar Glory Space Technology, also known as iSpace, has become the first private Chinese space company to successfully launch a rocket into orbit, marking an important milestone in the development of the country’s commercial space industry, said Caixin.
The launch took place from the state-operated Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province, according to a company press release.
China’s private space companies have been attempting for several months to launch a rocket into orbit, with iSpace being the first to succeed. Companies LandSpace and OneSpace, both failed, triggering concern about the health of the country’s private space industry.
The company’s spacecraft, the Hyperbola-1 carrier rocket, is transporting two satellites belonging respectively to the Beijing Institute of Technology and state-owned equipment maker Casicspace, a company affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp.