Private firm in Beijing makes history after successful mission

Leading private rocket makers in China — i-Space, LandSpace and OneSpace — have been striving to develop their own carrier rockets. Currently, they are mainly made by State-owned space giants. Carrier rockets are in short supply because of a surging need for launch services from the country's growing demand for satellites.

Executives at these firms are aware that becoming the first private company to launch a carrier rocket into orbit would bring not only honor but also lucrative contracts.

Two previous attempts at orbital launches by LandSpace and Onespace were unsuccessful.

Yao Bowen, spokesman for i-Space, said Thursday's launch indicated that his company is ready to conduct commercial launches.

Yao said i-Space will carry out another five SQX-1 launches for clients before the end of 2020, adding that the company's second type of carrier rocket — the SQX-2 reusable liquid-propelled rocket — is under development and is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2021.