(Yicai Global) June 5 -- China successfully launched a rocket from a platform in the Yellow Sea off the coast of Shandong province today for the first time ever.

The rocket blasted off at 12:06 pm today, state broadcaster CCTV reported, with its mission to send seven satellites into orbit about 600 kilometers above the Earth.

Such a sea mission avoids densely populated regions along a rocket's trajectory, in contrast to a conventional land-based launch.

Editor: Ben Armour