China’s commercial rocket launched 15 satellites into orbit, including the first international payload from service provider CAS Space.

The Lijian-1 (Kinetica-1) solid-state rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 23:03 on November 10 (04:03 UTC on November 11). CAS Space’s launch report said the launch took place at the “Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Testing Ground”. The area is believed to be part of the growing Jiuquan Spaceport, which hosts launch sites for companies such as CAS Space, Landspace, Space Pioneer and others. This is one of a series of initiatives that will allow China to promote the creation of new commercial rockets and overcome the bottleneck in spaceport access.

The 15 satellites launched into near polar orbit are: Shiyan-26 A, B and C, Jilin-1 Gaofen 05B, Jilin-1 Pintai 02A 03, Yunyao-1 satellites 31-36, Xiguang-1 satellites 04 and 05, Oman IRSS – 1 /OL-1 satellite DZZ and Tianyan-24.

No information is given about the Shiyan satellites. The name refers to a series of experimental and generally secret Chinese satellites. Satellite manufacturer and operator Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. A pair of Jilin-1 satellites were launched for (CGST) operates the Jilin-1 group of high-resolution remote sensing satellites.

CGST currently has at least 117 satellites in orbit. Jilin-1 satellite Gaofen 05B serves as a technology demonstrator for the high-resolution Gaofen 05 constellation. Apparently, CGST plans to launch 200 such satellites by 2027 to provide daily global coverage. The company plans to double the planned 138 satellite groups to 300 in 2022.

CAS Space said Jilin-1 Pintai 02A03 is a high-resolution optical remote sensing satellite that can provide users with remote sensing information services such as situation analysis and target tracking.

Yunyao-1 31-36 is owned by Tianjin Yunyao Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. Satellites carry a GNSS eclipse or long-wave infrared camera to provide meteorological data.

Xiguang-1 04 and 05, Xi’an Zhongke Xiguang Aerospace Technology Co. Developed by. or Xiopm Space. These are China’s first commercial high-resolution methane source detection satellites. The first one has a methane camera, chlorophyll camera and multispectral camera, while the second one has a hyperspectral camera and panchromatic camera.

Tianyan-24 is an optical remote sensing satellite developed by Juntian Aerospace; Oman IRSS-1/OL-1 is partly produced by Chinese companies, China Great Wall Industry Corp. It is defined as an intelligent optical remote sensing satellite developed by . (CGWIC). ), a division of CASC, China’s main space contractor.

The international payload is notable in that it demonstrates CAS Space’s ability to negotiate with CGWIC and others to launch commercial payloads from abroad. CGWIC normally negotiates the launch of international payloads on CASC Long March rockets. CAS Space is committed to making international contracts part of its business operations, despite issues with export regimes and SpaceX’s dominance.

Lijian-1 has a take-off weight of 135 tons, a total length of 30 meters, a main stage diameter of 2.65 meters, a body diameter of 2.65 meters and can carry a payload of 1,500 kilograms to a 500-kilometer solar synchronous vehicle. . It is in orbit, according to data from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It uses CASC’s SP70 solid rocket motors.

The upcoming Kinetica-2 rocket, currently scheduled for launch in September 2025, will expand CAS Space’s payload capacity to meet broader customer needs, offering up to 7,800 kg in sun-synchronous orbit and 12,000 kg in low Earth orbit. Potential recovery trials for reuse are planned for late 2026. It recently took part in the launch of a low-cost cargo transportation system to the Tiangong Space Station and aims to offer suborbital tourist flights by 2027.

This launch was China’s 54th orbital launch in 2024. Upcoming missions include the launch of the Tianzhou-8 resupply mission to Tiangong, expected on November 15, and the launch of Zhuque-2 from Landspace.