China's space conveyor belt: Lijian‑1 rocket moves to monthly launches — 105 satellites under its belt, two sea launches in second half
Three consecutive launches in Q2 2026, test cycle reduced to 10 days, total payload over 15 tonnes. Regular monthly launches plus two sea launches in the second half to target high‑orbit and low‑inclination missions.
As reported by CCTV+, China plans monthly launches of the Lijian‑1 carrier rocket and two sea launches in the second half of this year, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). On Monday, China launched the Lijian‑1 Y14 rocket carrying eight satellites. The rocket lifted off at 11:44 Beijing time from a commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China and successfully delivered its payload into planned orbit. This was the 14th flight of the rocket series developed by CAS Space, a commercial space company spun off from the Institute of Mechanics at CAS.
According to the manufacturer, the Lijian‑1 series has launched a total of 105 satellites with a combined payload exceeding 15 tonnes. The series completed three consecutive launches in the second quarter of 2026, accelerating its high‑density launch schedule for this year. Meng Xiangfu, deputy commander of the Lijian‑1 mission, said: "In the second half of the year, regular monthly launches will begin. Thanks to a dedicated launch pad and CAS Space's technical facility in the Dongfeng commercial aerospace innovation test zone, Lijian‑1 has achieved flight‑like operations, and the test‑launch cycle at the pad has been shortened to ten days."
In addition to ground launches, sea launches are also progressing successfully, with a number of key technologies validated in previous missions. Meng added: "Two sea launches are planned for the second half of this year, while maintaining ground launch frequency. Sea launches are currently proceeding smoothly and meet the conditions for missions requiring high orbits and low inclinations, enabling us to provide global users with cost‑effective launch services and a good experience."
Lijian‑1 (also known as Kinetica 1) is a solid‑fuel light‑class launch vehicle for commercial missions. It is developed by CAS Space, a spin‑off from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Moving to monthly launches means that China's commercial space sector is reaching serial production levels. Sea launches allow satellites to be placed into any orbit without reliance on ground infrastructure. Reducing the launch preparation cycle to ten days is a speed comparable to the world's leading private space companies.
Space no longer feels distant. When a rocket launches every month and satellites are deployed by the dozen, orbit becomes a busy highway. China's Lijian‑1 works like a truck: reliable, cheap, on schedule. While some design megatockets for Mars, these unsung workhorses carry tonnes of "smart hardware" into orbit — from weather satellites to internet constellations. Two sea launches in the second half of the year are not just "two more launches." They are proof that commercial spaceflight can be flexible: launch from land, launch from a deck. Technology becomes a commodity, and space becomes a workhorse. And that, perhaps, is the main achievement of today.
