China on Wednesday used an upgraded version of the Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket to launch a new remote-sensing satellite into orbit.
The upgraded version of the Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier rocket, carrying the new remote-sensing satellite equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 12:46 Beijing Time (0446 GMT) on Wednesday.
The upgraded version of the Kuaizhou-1A, a solid-propellant rocket, has a stronger payload capacity, higher reliability and improved performance.
"The fairing diameter has been enlarged from 1.4 to 1.8 meters, and the payload capacity of the Kuaizhou-1A in low Earth orbit has increased from 300 to 450 kilograms. Additionally, we have incorporated various technologies, including optimized high-load ratios, detasking, landing area control, and online parameter adjustment, which enhance the rocket's reliability and performance," said Fan Wei, deputy chief designer of the Kuaizhou-1A.
The mission development team also further optimized the orbital control scheme and applied landing control and other technologies, improving both the mission's adaptability and reliability, enabling it to undertake various types of launch missions, according to Fan. "Moving forward, the Kuaizhou-1A and Kuaizhou-11 will complement each other to form a system of low- and high-orbit carrier rockets, which will better serve the domestic microsatellite market," Fan said.
Remote sensing satellites refer to those tasked with observing, surveying and measuring objects on land or at sea as well as monitoring weather.
The mission marked the 28th flight of the Kuaizhou 1A model as well as China's 61st space launch so far this year.
Developed by China Space Sanjiang Group, the 20-meter Kuaizhou 1A is the country's most used solid-propellant carrier rocket model.
China uses upgraded version of Kuaizhou 1A carrier rocket to launch satellite
China uses upgraded version of Kuaizhou 1A carrier rocket to launch satellite
