Under its ambitious space program, China successfully launched a rocket from a ship at sea for the very first time on Wednesday, becoming the third country after the US and Russia to master sea launch technology.
The Long March 11 rocket blasted off from a platform on a large semi-submersible barge in the Yellow Sea, off Shandong province, on Wednesday noon.
Sea launch is considered a more economic way to launch a rocket as it requires less fuel to reach orbit, while it minimizes potential damages from falling rocket debris during the launch.
The small rocket carried seven satellites, including one that measures sea-surface winds to forecast typhoons, as well as two communications satellites.
China has made its space program a top priority in recent years as it races to catch up with the US and become a major space power by 2030, Reuters reported.
Beijing plans to begin construction of its own manned space station next year.
