CAS Space achieves new milestone with Kinetica 1 Y3 launch deploying 5 satellites

CAS Space achieves new milestone with Kinetica 1 Y3 launch deploying 5 satellites
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 24, 2024

Beijing-based CAS Space, an enterprise under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully conducted the third flight of its Kinetica 1 rocket, previously known as ZK 1A. This launch, which took place on Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, marks a significant step in China's burgeoning space industry.

The Kinetica 1 Y3 rocket, notable for its designation indicating the third of its series, embarked on its mission at precisely 12:03 pm. Its successful ascent culminated in the precise placement of five satellites into their preset orbits, as confirmed by CAS Space in a recent press release.

This launch follows the inaugural journey of the Kinetica 1 type at the Jiuquan center in July 2022. At that time, it was recognized as the largest and most powerful solid-propellant rocket in China. Its subsequent mission in June 2023 further cemented its reputation, launching 26 satellites and setting a national record for the most spacecraft deployed by a single rocket.

The specifications of the Kinetica 1 are a testament to its capabilities. With a length of 30 meters, a diameter of 2.65 meters, and a liftoff weight of 135 metric tons, this rocket model is an impressive feat of engineering. It is especially adept at delivering payloads, capable of sending satellites with a combined weight of up to 1.5 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit approximately 500 kilometers above Earth.

To date, the Kinetica 1 has achieved a remarkable track record, deploying 37 satellites into space while maintaining a 100-percent success rate. This consistency and reliability underscore the technological advancement and growing expertise of CAS Space in the realm of rocketry.

Looking ahead, CAS Space is not resting on its laurels. The company has announced the development of a new rocket, the Kinetica 2, and is planning its maiden flight for 2025. This new model signals the ongoing evolution and ambition of China's space technology sector.

The satellites launched in this recent mission were all designed and manufactured by Minospace, a Beijing-headquartered private startup. The array of satellites onboard the Kinetica 1 Y3 was diverse and purposeful. The Taijing 2B and Taijing 2D are experimental satellites, with the former tasked with monitoring vegetative cover and atmospheric elements and the latter dedicated to space environmental detection operations.

Additionally, Taijing 1C and Taijing 3B are high-resolution remote-sensing satellites designed to capture detailed images of designated areas on Earth. But perhaps the most intriguing of the group is the Taijing 4C, a plate-shaped radar satellite. Equipped with a Ku-band synthetic aperture radar, this satellite stands out for its versatility and potential applications. Its capabilities extend across various sectors, including marine target identification, disaster monitoring, environmental survey, resources mapping, and agricultural yield estimation.

This launch signifies more than just a technical achievement; it represents a new chapter in China's space exploration and technological prowess. With each successful mission, CAS Space is not only solidifying its position in the global space industry but also paving the way for future innovations and advancements.

The Kinetica 1 Y3's successful deployment of these satellites reflects China's growing capabilities and confidence in space technology, an area of strategic importance and intense international competition. As China continues to make strides in this field, the global space community watches with interest, anticipating further developments and breakthroughs from this emerging space power.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article