Kuaizhou
Kuaizhou (KZ, Chinese: 快舟; pinyin: kuàizhōu, meaning "speedy vessel")[1] is a family of Chinese "quick-reaction" orbital launch vehicles. Flying since 2013, Kuaizhou 1 and 1A consist of three solid-fueled rocket stages, with a liquid-fueled fourth stage as part of the satellite system.[2] Kuaizhou 11, introduced in 2018, is a larger model able to launch a 1,500-kilogram (3,300 lb) payload into low Earth orbit. Heavy-lift models KZ-21 and KZ-31 are in development.[3] The Kuaizhou series of rockets is manufactured by ExPace, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), as their commercial launch vehicles.[4][5]
History
The rocket series is based on CASIC's ASAT and BMD mid-course interceptor rockets. Development on the KZ rockets started in 2009.[4][6]
The maiden flight of Kuaizhou 1 occurred on 25 September 2013, launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.[7]
Kuaizhou 2 was launched at 06:37 GMT on 21 November 2014, again from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.[2][1]
The first commercial launch inaugurated the Kuaizhou 1A version on 9 January 2017, from Jiuquan. It placed three small satellites into a polar orbit.[8]
Specifications
The solid-fuel KZ-1A can place 200 kg payload into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers. Planned KZ-11[9] version would be able to put 1-metric-ton to the same orbit
Launch preparations are designed to take very little time, and the launch can be conducted on rough terrain.[5]
The rocket's low requirements for launch help with cost savings, yielding a launch price under $10,000 per kilogram of payload. This price level is very competitive in the international market.[6]
Satellites can be installed on a Kuaizhou rocket and stored in a maintenance facility. Once needed, the rocket is deployed by a transporter-erector-launcher vehicle (TEL) to a secure location. Launch readiness time can be as short as several hours.[10]
Models
Rocket | First launch | Payload fairing size | Payload to LEO | Payload to SSO | Lift-off mass | Length | Diameter | Thrust | Payload cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kuaizhou 1 (KZ-1) |
25 September 2013 | 430 kg (950 lb) (500 km)[2] [11][12][13] | 30–32 tonnes[2] | 19.4 m (64 ft) | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) | ||||
Kuaizhou 1A (KZ-1A) |
9 January 2017 (UTC) | 1.2–1.4 m (3 ft 11 in–4 ft 7 in)[14] | 300 kg (660 lb) [15] | 250 kg (550 lb) (500 km) 200 kg (440 lb) (700 km)[14] |
30 tonnes, TEL-capable[11] | 19.4 m (64 ft)[14] | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in)[14] | $20,000/kg ($9,100/lb)[16] | |
Kuaizhou 11 (KZ-11) |
2018 (planned)[9] | 2.2–2.6 m (7 ft 3 in–8 ft 6 in)[14] | 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) | 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) (700 km)[14] | 78 tonnes,[14] TEL-capable[11] | 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)[14] | $10,000/kg ($4,500/lb)[6] | ||
Kuaizhou 21 (KZ-21) |
2025 (projected)[11] | 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)[3] | 4 m (13 ft)[3] | ||||||
Kuaizhou 31 (KZ-31) |
In development | 70,000 kg (150,000 lb)[3] | 4 m (13 ft) (engines)[3] |
List of launches
Flight № | Date (UTC) | Launch site | Version | Payload | Orbit | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 25 September 2013 04:37[7] |
Jiuquan LA-4 | Kuaizhou 1 | Kuaizhou 1 | SSO | Success |
2 | 21 November 2014 06:37[2] |
Jiuquan LA-4 | Kuaizhou 1 | Kuaizhou 2 | SSO | Success |
3 | 9 January 2017 04:11 |
Jiuquan LA-4 | Kuaizhou 1A | Jilin-1-03 | SSO | Success |
4 | 29 September 2018 04:13[17] |
Jiuquan LA-4 | Kuaizhou 1A | Centispace 1-S1 | SSO | Success |
2018[17] | Jiuquan LA-4 | Kuaizhou 1A | Jilin-1 09–12 | SSO | Planned | |
2018[17] | Jiuquan LA-4 | Kuaizhou 11 | 12 small satellites[17] | SSO | Planned |
See also
References
- 1 2 Clark, Stephen (21 November 2014). "China launches for the second time in 24 hours". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Barbosa, Rui C. (November 21, 2014). "China launches Kuaizhou-2 in second launch within 24 hours". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "China to test large solid-fuel rocket engine". China Daily. December 25, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- 1 2 Keane, Phillip (20 September 2016). "ExPace, China's Very Own SpaceX". Asian Scientist.
- 1 2 "First commercial space base to be built in Wuhan". SpaceDaily. 14 September 2016.
- 1 2 3 Lin, Jeffrey; Singer, P.W. (October 7, 2016). "China's Private Space Industry Prepares To Compete With SpaceX And Blue Origin". Popular Science. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- 1 2 "China launches satellite to monitor natural disaster". Xinhua. September 25, 2013.
- ↑ Clark, Stephen (9 January 2017). "Kuaizhou rocket lifts off on first commercial mission". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- 1 2 Gunter's space page: Kuaizhou-11 (KZ-11)
- ↑ "New rocket readies for liftoff in 2016". SpaceDaily. 10 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kuai Zhou (Fast Vessel)". China Space Report. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ↑ http://spaceflights.news/?launch=kuaizhou-1-•-jilin-1
- ↑ https://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/lanc_kuaizhou.html
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "快舟十一号小型固体运载火箭(KZ-11):推迟到2018年首飞" [Kuaizhou 11 small solid launch vehicle (KZ-11): First flight planned for 2018] (in Chinese). October 30, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtdoZv58kI8
- ↑ Zhou, Xin (30 October 2017). "Kuaizhou-11 to send six satellites into space". Xinhua. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Pietrobon, Steven (25 August 2018). "Chinese Launch Manifest". Retrieved 25 August 2018.