Kuaizhou-1A Launch
Uploader: The Space Program
Original upload date: Sat, 14 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:01:58 GMT
China orbited three small satellites using the Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Launch Center. The launch was originally scheduled for the last day of 2016. However, the launch was
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delayed without notice and without specific reasons.
Launch took place at 04:11 UTC on January 9 and comes after the first contract was signed between Chang Guang SatelliteTechnology Ltd (CGSTL) and EXPACE/CASIC. Expace Technology Co., Ltd.
A subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp, it is specialized in R&D, manufacturing and marketing of the Kuaizhou series launch vehicle to provide cost-effective, reliable and accurate commercial launch service for customers all over the world.
The first launch of the Kuaizhou-1A launch vehicle orbited the Jilin Linye-1 forestry satellite and two small CubeSats-2U: the Xingyun Shiyan-1 and the Kaidun-1 ‘Caton-1’.
The Jilin Linye-1 (Lingqiao Shipin 03) satellite is a remote sensing satellite for high definition video designed to capture videos with a ground resolution better than 1,0 meters and with a swath of 11 km × 4.5 km. The operation life of the mission is 3 years and the satellite will be used for forestry monitoring.
Xingyun Shiyan- 1 was developed by the CASIC 9th Academy. XYSY-1 is described as a satellite that will be testing low Earth orbit narrow-band communication downlink technologies.
Developed by the Beijing Caton Universal Technology Ltd., Kaidun-1 ‘Caton-1’ is a CubeSat-2U that will be used for ship traffic management and probably carrying an AIS ship-tracking receiver.
The satellite will also help to implement a security monitoring system for navigation at sea, using intelligent sensors, intelligent communication equipment, intelligent lighting and other navigation products to help navigation.
The Kuaizhou-1A is a high reliability, high precision and low cost solid launch vehicle developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASIC) and commercialized by the China Space Sanjiang Group Corporation (EXPACE).
The launch vehicle can send a 200kg payload into a 700km sun-synchronous orbit. It mainly offers the service of sending a small satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to domestic and international customers.
The vehicle is possible based on the road mobile DF-21 missile adding two additional upper stages. There are no apparent differences between the KZ-1A (previous commercially available as the FT-1 Feitian-1) and the KZ-1 launch vehicle.
The difference, though, can be explained by the fact that with KZ-1 the payload remains attached to the fourth liquid stage, while the KZ-1A is used for multiple payloads.
The KZ-1A solid launch vehicle adopts a mobile launch platform, integrated power supply equipment, test and launch control facilities, aiming facility and temperature control facility, to carry vehicle from technical support center to launch site, complete temperature control of payload, vehicle test and launch.
KZ-1A launch vehicle is 20 meter long with lift-off mass of 30 tons, and its maximum diameter is 1.4 meter. The vehicle’s power is provided by three solid motors and one liquid motor
The solid propulsion system consists of three solid vehicle motors to provide power during first stage flight, second stage flight and third stage flight. All of the three solid motors choose single fixed nozzle, and do not shut off until the propellant is exhausted.
First stage motor is 1,40 meters in diameter, having a total mass of 16,621 kg, a burn time of 65 seconds and an impulse of 2,352 Ns/kg. The Second stage motor is 1,40 meters in diameter, having a total mass of 8,686 kg, a burn time of 62 seconds and an impulse of 2,810 NS/kg. The Third stage motor is 1,20 meters in diameter, having a total mass of 3,183 kg, a burn time of 55 seconds and an impulse of 2,850 NS/kg.
The vehicle can be used with two kinds of fairings having a diameter of 1.2 and 1.4 meters according to the space demand of cargo to be orbited.
KZ-1A is launched from a mobile platform. The Mobile Launch Platform mainly includes transport and launch vehicle, test and fire control equipment, aiming equipment, etc.
The MLP transfers the vehicle from technological area to launching area, also providing temperature and environment control of payload, vehicle test and launching by using power supply equipment, test and fire control equipment, aiming equipment, temperature control device, which are integrated into the platform. The transport and launch vehicle employs a semi-trailer which is usually used for transporting container.