Is China about to launch a rocket from South China Sea international waters?

China plans to launch its first rocket from open waters in the South China Sea, in a display of a more flexible, long-range maritime launch capability.

The 31-metre (102-foot) tall, solid-fuelled Jielong-3 is expected to lift off at 7.30pm on Saturday from the Dong Fang Hang Tian Gang, a converted barge operating in international waters, according to a leaked schedule circulating on Chinese social media.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost all the islands and rock features in the South China Sea and in their adjacent waters. Rival claimants include the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.

The Jielong-3, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology for commercial missions, travelled with the launch platform from Haiyang in eastern Shandong province to the South China Sea, marking its first long-distance, cross-sea deployment.

Rand Simberg, an aerospace engineer and space policy analyst based in the US state of Wyoming, said launching from the sea could become a trend – with China “currently ahead”.

“Ocean launch will be very important in the future as spaceports on land become too crowded with higher flight rates. We’re running out of room at traditional space ports.”