The Long March 11 rocket blasted off from a launch pad aboard a commercial ship in the Yellow Sea off the coast of Shandong province, marking the 306th launch of a rocket in the Long March series, but the first one at sea. China has test fired a rocket from a mobile platform at sea for the first time, sending a five commercial satellites and two others containing experimental technology into space.
China is the third country after the US and Russia to master sea launch technology. Sea launches offer advantages such as the ability to position closer to the equator, requiring less fuel to reach orbit and thereby lowering overall launch costs. It also reduces the possibility of damage on the ground from falling rocket debris.
China test fires 1st rocket from mobile platform in Yellow Sea
