Kuaizhou

Kuaizhou (KZ, Chinese: 快舟; pinyin: kuàizhōu, meaning "speedy vessel")[1] (also called Feitian Emergency Satellite Launch System, Feitian-1, FT-1)[2][3][4] 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.[5] Kuaizhou 11, which flew an unsuccessful maiden flight in July 2020 (and successful second flight in 2022), is a larger model able to launch a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) payload into low Earth orbit. Heavy-lift models KZ-21 and KZ-31 are in development.[6] The Kuaizhou series of rockets is manufactured by ExPace, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), as their commercial launch vehicles.[7][8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference sfn-20141121 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Kuaizhou-1 (KZ-1) / Fei Tian 1". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Chinese Kuaizhou-1A rocket launches several small satellites". 9 January 2017.
  4. ^ "China Unveils New Rocket, People Get Real Curious About What It's For". 13 November 2014.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference nsf-20141121 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference chinadaily-20171225 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference AsianScientist-20160920 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "First commercial space base to be built in Wuhan". SpaceDaily. 14 September 2016.