Abstract: The Smart Dragon 3 launch vehicle is a commercial carrier rocket based on the experience with the existing solid-fuel rocket Long March 11 to meet the growing market demand in China for launching commercial satellites to low and medium orbits. The carrier rocket has the characteristics of integral rocket storage, usable for both sea- and land-based launches, rapid response and cost-effectiveness. It is a solid carrier rocket with the largest lift capacity and the largest fairing envelope successfully flown domestically. This paper introduces the main technical index and overall scheme of the rocket. It also introduces the main difficulties encountered in the development of the rocket focusing on the aspects of the thermal emission at sea, the “Big hood” configuration and low commercial cost, as well as the interfaces with satellites. It is expected to provide a better commercial launch service for users through technological and economic integration.