Tianxing 1B satellite launched by Kuaizhou 1A to conduct space environment survey

Tianxing 1B satellite launched by Kuaizhou 1A to conduct space environment survey
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 12, 2024

China's Kuaizhou 1A carrier rocket successfully launched an experimental satellite, Tianxing 1B, into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwestern Gobi Desert. The launch, which took place on Thursday morning, marks another milestone in China's rapidly advancing space program.

The rocket, a solid-propellant model developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), lifted off at 11:52 am, demonstrating its reliability and precision. The Tianxing 1B satellite, a product of the Shanghai-based Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was accurately placed into its preset orbit.

According to CASIC, the state-owned space contractor responsible for developing the Kuaizhou 1A rocket, this mission underlines the rocket's capabilities in deploying payloads to specific orbits. The Tianxing 1B satellite's primary mission involves surveying the environment in outer space and executing various technical tests, indicating China's focus on both technological advancement and environmental monitoring in space.

This latest mission signifies the 26th flight of the Kuaizhou 1A model since its debut in 2017, showcasing the rocket's growing importance in China's space endeavors. Notably, this launch is the fourth of its type in the past 20 days, following three previous launches that successfully transported a total of 12 Tianmu 1-series weather satellites into space.

The Kuaizhou 1A rocket, developed by the China Space Sanjiang Group, a CASIC subsidiary in Hubei province, stands at 20 meters with a liftoff weight of about 30 metric tons. It is designed to carry payloads of up to 200 kilograms into a sun-synchronous orbit and 300 kg into a low-Earth orbit. The rocket's versatility and payload capacity are reflective of China's strategic advancements in the space sector.

This launch adds to the impressive record of the Kuaizhou 1A and represents a significant step in China's pursuit of innovation and excellence in space technology. The successful deployment of the Tianxing 1B satellite not only highlights China's growing proficiency in space missions but also underscores the country's commitment to expanding its capabilities in outer space exploration and utilization.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article