Last Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the Chinese mainland's Lijian-1 (Kinetica-1) Y11 rocket soared into a clear sky from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center 🚀.
At 12:03 p.m. Beijing Time, the solid-fuel carrier lifted off, sending nine satellites—including a spacecraft from the UAE—into their preset orbits. This mission highlights the growing momentum of commercial launches and international collaboration in space exploration 🌌.
For young space enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and explorers, the Lijian-1's quick-turnaround design represents a leap forward for small satellite deployments. By cutting wait times and costs, such rockets are opening doors for startups, research groups, and overseas collaborators to test new tech in orbit ⚙️.
As the Chinese mainland continues to expand its commercial space capabilities, we're likely to see more frequent launches and diverse payloads, from Earth-observation constellations to experimental platforms. Stay tuned for the next blastoff—we're just getting started! 🌍✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
