Private firm in Beijing makes history after successful mission

Developed and produced by i-Space, a Beijing-based space startup founded by a group of Chinese rocket researchers who previously worked for State-owned enterprises, the three-stage SQX-1 is mainly propelled by solid fuel, has a liftoff weight of 42 metric tons and a diameter of 1.4 meters. Its launch capacity allows it to transport satellites with a total weight of 500 kilograms into a sun-synchronous orbit 500 km above the Earth, according to the company.

Designers at i-Space call SQX-1 the most powerful carrier rocket ever built by a private company in China.

Private companies are eager to seize business opportunities in the nation's burgeoning commercial space launch market.