A Beijing-based company launched three satellites into space on a self-developed carrier rocket on Wednesday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.

The 9.5-meter SQX-1Z solid-propellant carrier rocket carrying three cubic satellites blasted off at 1:00 p.m. from a supporting pad in the large desert.

After entering the designated orbits, two of the three satellites were released from the rocket in sequence to travel in sub-orbit for a certain period of time before falling back to earth to be recovered.

Established in 2015, the startup i-Space is China's first private company with a license to develop carrier rockets.

According to the company, the SQX-1Z, which was verified before today's launch, is ready to provide one-stop services available to all potential customers.

In 2014, China issued a series of guidelines allowing private capital to enter into several key fields, including commercial aerospace exploration.

[With inputs from Xinhua News Agency]