China Launched Space Rocket from Sea for the First Time

China launched a space rocket from the sea for the first time on 5th June 2019.

Details:

• With this China becomes the third nation to successfully demonstrate the ability to launch satellites into orbit from a floating platform following the U.S. and Russia.
• In the operation, March 11, a Long rocket was launched from a ship in the Yellow Sea.
• The first ever seaborne launch technology aims to meet the growing launch demand of low inclination satellites.
• It is also expected to help China provide launch services for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

About the Payloads:

• The rocket carried two experimental satellites and five commercial satellites.
• The experimental satellites will monitor ocean winds to set up all-weather monitoring of ocean wind fields and improve typhoon monitoring and accuracy of the weather forecast in China.
• It was built by the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing.
• Experimental satellites:

1. Bufeng-1A
2. Bufeng-1B

• Commercial satellites:
• Earth-imaging cubesat - 1
• Tianqi-3, an experimental communications satellite
• China's first two Ka-band communications satellites
• New satellite for China's Jilin-1 remote-sensing satellite constellation

About China's space exploration:

• China is the first nation to land a rover on the far side of the Moon.
• It also plans to build a research base on the lunar surface.
• The country also plans to send a probe to Mars and build a space station in Earth orbit.
• In 2003, China became the third nation to have the capability of launching humans into space.

Question:

Q. Which country has become the third nation to successfully demonstrate the ability to launch satellites into orbit from a floating platform following the U.S. and Russia?
a. Japan
b. South Korea
c. Germany
d. China