Has the Era of Commercial Aerospace “Carpooling” Arrived? Analyzing the Successful Launch of Dongfang Space’s Gravity One and the Industry’s Transformation
Hello everyone, I’m your financial observer. Today, we’re not talking about whether the rocket exploded or not, but about how rockets can save money, carry more payload, and the billion-dollar market that’s on the rise.
On September 16th, Dongfang Space’s Gravity One rocket successfully launched into the sky, carrying 8 Qianfan Constellation satellites and 1 technology test satellite. This might sound complex, but what does it mean for us ordinary people? It signifies that China’s commercial aerospace industry is moving from individual efforts to coordinated group actions, from being able to build rockets to being able to sell them effectively.
Let me break down this news into five key points in plain language.
1. Advanced Rocket “Carpooling” Technology: From “Private Cars” to “Buses,” Doubling Efficiency
The most significant highlight of this launch wasn’t just that the rocket flew, but how much payload it carried and how it did so.
In the past, launching satellites was like booking a private car for each mission. Each satellite took up a specific spot, and even though rockets were large, much of the space was wasted, or the entire launch window had to be reserved just for one satellite. However, Gravity One adopted a “carpooling” or even “bus” approach.
The news mentioned that the payload consisted of a combination of stacked and flat satellites, with a net weight of over 3 tons. This is like a large truck carrying both large boxes (stacked satellites) and flat items (flat satellites). This mixed loading method requires advanced separation control technology to ensure that each component opens and separates correctly in space, without colliding or falling.
Why is this important?
Low-earth orbit satellite constellations, such as Qianfan and Starlink, require thousands of satellites to function effectively. Launching just one satellite at a time is costly and inefficient. The ability to launch ten or even eighteen satellites at once significantly improves efficiency. For satellite operators, this means lower costs and higher profits. Dongfang Space’s success demonstrates their mastery of this high-density, complex-launch technology, which will become standard in future commercial launches.
2. Sea Launches: Why the East China Sea?
Many might wonder why launches are conducted at sea when there are so many land-based facilities. CEO Bu Xiangwei explained that the main advantage of sea launches is their flexibility in location.
Think of land-based launch sites as fixed “high-speed train stations” with fixed launch times. Sea launches, on the other hand, are more like “ride-hailing services” or “mobile ports”:
- Better Orbit Matching: Different satellites require different entry angles and altitudes. Land-based sites are limited by latitude, while sea-based ships can go to any longitude and latitude, allowing for precise orbit matching and saving satellite fuel.
- Safety and Flexibility: If something goes wrong, a rocket falling at sea doesn’t pose a threat to buildings or people. If the weather is bad, the ship can wait or move. This flexibility is crucial for frequent, large-scale low-earth orbit launches.
Bu Xiangwei also mentioned that they plan to establish fixed launch sites for common orbits, further reducing decision-making costs and increasing launch frequencies.
3. The Industry’s Pain Point: “Too Many Satellites, Too Few Rockets”: How to Solve the Supply-Demand Gap?
The most practical issue in the industry is the disparity between the large number of satellites needed and the limited number of rockets available. China’s Qianfan Constellation, Starlink, and similar projects require thousands of satellites. Currently, there are few rockets capable of launching multiple satellites at once.
This leads to high costs and slow progress. Dongfang Space’s strategy focuses on stability and frequency, with Gravity One capable of launching ten to eighteen satellites per launch, and they plan to do so three times this year. This builds customer trust and fills market gaps. As more commercial rockets mature, this issue will gradually resolve, but for now, launch capacity remains a critical factor.
4. Industrial Chain Integration: More Than Just Selling Rockets
Vice President Peng Haomin revealed that Dongfang Space has also invested in two satellite operating companies. This is known as upstream and downstream collaboration:
- Anticipated Needs: Previously, satellite companies would tell rocket companies what they needed. Now, by investing in satellite companies, Dongfang Space can predict their requirements, allowing for more efficient rocket design and launch planning.
- Ecosystem Integration: This integration places Dongfang Space at the heart of the low-earth orbit internet and remote sensing ecosystems. It’s not just about selling rockets; they’re becoming an integral part of the infrastructure. This strengthens customer loyalty and gives them more influence in the industry chain.
In other words, they don’t just want to be delivery services; they want to shape the logistics network. This way, they can respond quickly to growing satellite demands.
5. Capital and the Future: Billions in Financing, with a Focus on Recyclable Rockets and Public Listing
Dongfang Space has raised billions in funding since early 2026, primarily for the development and production of the Gravity Two, a large, reusable liquid rocket. Reusable rockets are crucial for cost reduction. SpaceX’s success with the Starship is due to its reusable design. Dongfang Space’s investment in Gravity Two aims to gain a competitive advantage in cost.
The company has also started preparations for a public listing, indicating a transition from a startup to a public company. With capital, they can expand production and develop more advanced rockets to meet the growing demand for low-earth orbit constellations.
In summary:
Dongfang Space’s successful launch is more than just a technical achievement; it’s a commercial milestone:
- Technological Progress: Matured “carpooling” launch technology for high-density, complex constellations.
- Business Model: Flexible sea launches and integrated industrial chains to address the supply-demand imbalance.
- Capital Strategy: Commercial aerospace is moving towards a phase of heavy investment and long-term development, with reusable rockets and the capital market playing a key role.
For us, this means that satellite internet services (such as faster, more stable networks and more accurate remote sensing data) may become more affordable and widespread due to reduced launch costs. Commercial aerospace is evolving from a costly venture to a profitable industry.