China begins 2024 with key Kuaizhou 1A satellite launch

China begins 2024 with key Kuaizhou 1A satellite launch
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 09, 2024

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), a prominent state-owned space contractor, has announced the successful launch of a Kuaizhou 1A carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, situated in the northwestern Gobi Desert. This event, occurring on Friday evening, signifies the commencement of China's ambitious space endeavors for the year 2024.

At precisely 7:20 pm, the solid-propellant rocket was launched, successfully deploying four satellites into the Tianmu 1 meteorological observation network in their designated orbits. This mission is a testament to China's growing capabilities in space technology and marks the 25th flight of the Kuaizhou 1A model. Notably, this is the third liftoff for this rocket type within the past two weeks, demonstrating its reliability and rapid operational capacity.

Developed by the China Space Sanjiang Group, a subsidiary of CASIC in Hubei province, the Kuaizhou 1A is a 20-meter rocket with a liftoff weight of about 30 metric tons. It boasts the capability to carry up to 200 kilograms of payload into a sun-synchronous orbit or 300 kg into a low-Earth orbit. The flexibility and efficiency of this rocket are crucial for China's satellite deployment strategies.

The newly launched satellites are part of the Tianmu network, which now consists of 22 satellites. Upon completion, this network will conduct comprehensive measurements of the oceans, atmosphere, and ionosphere. It aims to provide round-the-clock, integrated meteorological data to authorities and industry users for enhanced weather forecasting and other related applications.

Wang Yanan, the chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, highlighted the increasing reliability of the Kuaizhou 1A rocket. He noted its six successful launches in 2023, underscoring its critical role in fulfilling CASIC's satellite deployment objectives. Wang emphasized the rocket's suitability for rapid, uncomplicated deployments of small satellite clusters.

In a broader context, China's space activities have been expanding rapidly. The nation executed a remarkable total of 67 rocket launches last year, with the Long March rocket family, China's primary launch vehicles, responsible for 47 of these missions. A significant development in 2023 was the utilization of 12 rockets manufactured by private Chinese companies for satellite launches. This trend marks a notable shift in the dynamics of China's space sector, indicating the growing influence of private enterprises.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article