Kinetica 1 | Unknown Payload

Mission Status

Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.

Mission Updates

May 9, 08:02 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities uncertain.

Source →

Mission Details

Details TBD.

Mission Type Unknown
Orbit Unknown
Launch Window 04:24 AM - 04:50 AM

Rocket Configuration

Name Kinetica 1
Manufacturer CAS Space
Height 30 m
Diameter 2.65 m
Maiden Flight 2022-07-27
Success Rate 11/12 (92%)

Kinetica 1 (also known as Lijian-1, Chinese: 力箭一号) is a Chinese solid-propellant light launch vehicle. It is capable of placing about 2 tons into low earth orbit and 1.5 tons into sun-synchronous orbit. It is developed by CAS Space, a subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Kinetica 1 is a light launcher whose first stage seems to be derived from the DF-31 long-range intercontinental ballistic missile. It is 30 m high and has a diameter of 2.65 m, with a liftoff mass of 135 t. It's the largest Chinese solid propellant launcher to date, with four stages with a thrust of 200, 100, 50 and 10 tons respectively. The fairing has a diameter of 3.35 meters.