China's first semi-fixed offshore rocket test platform HOS-1 is in operation in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo/The New Times]

A new chapter in China's commercial space industry has begun off the coast of Yantai, Shandong province. The HOS-1, the nation's first semi-fixed offshore rocket test platform, is now operational.

This innovative facility addresses critical bottlenecks in rocket development. Traditional land-based test sites face limitations in space and safety, while offshore testing has long been hindered by complex marine conditions. The HOS-1 overcomes these with a semi-fixed design, anchored in shallow waters and capable of withstanding gale-force waves. It can test engines with up to 300 metric tons of single-unit thrust, meeting the needs of all current mainstream rockets in the country, and supports multi-engine parallel tests crucial for future heavy-lift vehicles.

Since its launch, the platform has proven its worth. In September 2025, it hosted a successful first-stage test for the TL-3 rocket, setting a new thrust record for China's commercial liquid-propellant engines. Another test for the Pallas-1 rocket followed in November.

The photo shows a first-stage propulsion system test for the TL-3 liquid carrier rocket conducted on an offshore launch pad at the Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port in East China's Shandong province. [Photo/The New Times]

The HOS-1 integrates seamlessly with Shandong's broader space strategy. As part of Yantai's Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port – China's only commercial sea launch hub – it enables a streamlined "test-launch-recovery" process, reducing development times and positioning the province as a pivotal force in China's rise as a global space power.