New rocket successfully takes to outer space

The new rocket also features the extensive use of composite materials. More than 90 percent of the rocket is made of composite materials, designers said.

Research and development of Kuaizhou 11 began in 2015 at China Space Sanjiang Group in Hubei province, a CASIC subsidiary specializing in solid-fuel rocket.

Designers planned to make its maiden flight in 2017 but the schedule had been repeatedly postponed due to unexpected technical difficulties, the company explained.