China Launches Balas-1 Y1 Rocket on First Mission

China carried out a successful orbital launch of the Balas-1 Y1 carrier rocket on 1 September 2026, lifting off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone in northwestern China.

Chinese authorities confirmed that the launch proceeded normally and that all scheduled test objectives were achieved, marking the mission as a full success.

This flight represents the inaugural mission for the Balas-1 Y1 rocket, underscoring a new phase in China’s efforts to advance its commercial space sector and strengthen its rocket launch capabilities.