China's Lijian-1 Y5 commercial carrier rocket, which was launched Monday, sent 15 satellites, including one for Oman, into their planned orbits, marking the country's first commercial launch of an international satellite.
The Lijian-1 carrier rocket is a medium-sized launch vehicle with solid-fuel rocket engines, designed for rapid deployment of small and medium satellites into low to medium Earth orbits.
It was developed by CAS Space, a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This rocket series completed its maiden flight on July 7, 2022, and has now launched a total of 57 satellites in the course of five flight missions, exceeding five tons of payload delivery.
Among the 15 satellites atop was Oman's remote-sensing satellite, marking China's first commercial launch for an international customer and underscoring the rocket's rising reputation in the global market.
"The cost of Lijian-1 carrier rocket is designed to be around 10,000 U.S. dollars per kilogram of payload. It's highly competitive globally in terms of reliability, cost, and mission adaptability," said Shi Xiaoning, chief designer of the Lijian-1 carrier rocket by CAS Space.
Successfully handling the launch of a foreign satellite demonstrates the Lijian-1's advanced technical capabilities. The timeline from Oman's confirmation of participation to launch took less than six months, showcasing the swift adaptability and responsiveness of the Lijian-1 technical team as they fine-tuned various technical parameters on short notice.
"Though it may appear to be a simple foreign satellite launch, this mission represents a significant technological accomplishment and underscores China's expanding international cooperation in space. Achieving success amid numerous challenges is truly a remarkable feat," said Yang Yuguang, chairman of the International Astronautical Federation's Space Transportation Committee.
Moving forward, plans are in place to expand the Lijian-1's capabilities with sea-based launches and missions targeting special orbital paths, enhancing its flexibility to better meet satellite users' diverse needs.
China's commercial rocket launches first international satellite
