KZ-1A Succeeds in Third Launching, Sending Two Satellites into Orbit

Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A), a solid launch vehicle, launched a microgravity experimental satellite and Xiaoxiang-1-07 satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province on Aug 31.

It was China's first air-to-air link docking test of satellite-rocket communication.

With the support and cooperation of the Xi'an Satellite Control Center and the Beijing Space Information Relay Transmission Technology Research Center, the last stage of the rocket provided short remote service to the satellites through the relay links.

The rocket was developed by a rocket technology company under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

The KZ-1A is mainly used to launch 300-kg low-orbit small-sized satellites. It features an internationally common interface and has high reliability, accurate orbit insertion, short preparation period, fewer supporting demands and low launching costs.

The KZ-1A made two commercial launches in 2017 and 2018. The new launch further ensured the rocket's quick response to the market and was a start of the intensive commercial launching missions scheduled for the second half of 2019 by CASIC.

To better respond to the clients' needs, Rocket Technology Corporation began mass production of the general components of the carrier rockets in advance.

The company will conduct several launches of the KZ-1A in the second half year and intends to start implementation and technical verification of large-scale networking of the satellite constellation ahead of schedule.

In recent years, CASIC has actively promoted the commercial space industry and carried out a series of commercial space projects.

In addition, the company developed carrier technology to lower the costs, focused on the Kuaizhou series carrier rockets, promoted power technology in the commercial space industry and improved the rockets' capacity to enter space.

KZ-1A carrier rocket is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province on Aug 31. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Zhang Tianyuan)