In a significant step for China's commercial space industry, a Chinese commercial rocket launched 15 satellites into orbit late Sunday, including CAS Space’s first-ever international payload. The Lijian-1 (also known as Kinetica-1) solid rocket lifted off at 11:03 p.m. Eastern on November 10 (0403 UTC, Nov. 11) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The launch took place in the “Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Area,” a new segment of the Jiuquan spaceport that caters to the growing demands of commercial space ventures. CAS Space, along with other companies such as Landspace and Space Pioneer, has been using this facility to conduct launches as part of an initiative to increase access for China’s commercial space sector.
The Lijian-1 successfully delivered its 15-satellite payload into a near-polar orbit. Among the satellites launched were the experimental Shiyan-26 A, B, and C, as well as high-resolution remote sensing satellites from the Jilin-1 constellation developed by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. (CGST). These additions bring CGST's Jilin-1 constellation to at least 117 satellites, and the company aims to increase this number to 200 by 2027, potentially expanding to 300 satellites to enable daily global coverage.
Other notable payloads include the Jilin-1 Pintai 02A03, a high-resolution optical satellite capable of remote sensing for situation analysis and target monitoring, and the Yunyao-1 31-36 satellites from Tianjin Yunyao Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., which carry GNSS occultation and infrared cameras for meteorological data collection.
The Xiguang-1 satellites, developed by Xi’an Zhongke Xiguang Aerospace Technology Co., represent China's first commercial high-resolution methane detection capabilities. These satellites carry advanced imaging technology, including methane and chlorophyll cameras, to monitor environmental factors.
Among the international payloads, Oman’s IRSS-1/OL-1 remote sensing satellite marks CAS Space’s first collaboration involving a foreign customer, developed in part with Chinese technology through China Great Wall Industry Corp. (CGWIC), a commercial arm of China’s primary space contractor, CASC. CAS Space aims to make international contracts a regular aspect of its operations, seeking to compete globally alongside other launch providers like SpaceX.
The Lijian-1, built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has a launch weight of 135 tons, a length of 30 meters, and a payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket is powered by SP70 solid rocket motors from CASC, and its upcoming successor, the Kinetica-2, will greatly expand payload capacity to accommodate up to 12,000 kg to low Earth orbit. The Kinetica-2 is scheduled for a September 2025 launch and may feature reusable technology.
This launch marked China’s 54th orbital mission of 2024, with more on the horizon. Among the upcoming launches is the Tianzhou-8 cargo mission to the Tiangong space station, scheduled for November 15, and additional launches from Landspace’s Zhuque-2.
With CAS Space now entering the international payload market and expanding capabilities, the company is positioning itself as a key player in China’s commercial space aspirations, helping to bolster the country’s footprint in the global launch services market.
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