Kuaizhou#Models
{{Short description|Family of Chinese "quick-reaction" orbital launch vehicles}}
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Kuaizhou (KZ, {{zh|p=kuàizhōu|c=快舟}}, meaning "speedy vessel") (also called Feitian Emergency Satellite Launch System, Feitian-1, FT-1){{Cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kuaizhou-1.htm|title=Kuaizhou-1 (KZ-1) / Fei Tian 1|website=space.skyrocket.de|accessdate=17 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/chinese-kuaizhou-1a-launches-several-small-satellites/|title=Chinese Kuaizhou-1A rocket launches several small satellites|date=9 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/china-unveils-new-rocket-people-get-real-curious-about-what-its-for/|title=China Unveils New Rocket, People Get Real Curious About What It's For|date=13 November 2014}} 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. 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 {{cvt|1500|kg}} payload into low Earth orbit. Heavy-lift models KZ-21 and KZ-31 are in development. The Kuaizhou series of rockets is manufactured by ExPace, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), as their commercial launch vehicles.{{cite news |url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/First_commercial_space_base_to_be_built_in_Wuhan_999.html|title=First commercial space base to be built in Wuhan|publisher=SpaceDaily|date=14 September 2016}}
History
File:Kuaizhou 11 Yao-2 Carrier Rocket Launch.png
File:“最高”致敬：快舟一号甲运载火箭致敬武汉和医护 2.png prior to launch, 12 May 2020]]
The rocket series is based on CASIC's Anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) and BMD mid-course interceptor rockets, in particular the DF-21 Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) (another Chinese rocket that was based on DF-21 was the Kaituozhe-1). Development on the KZ launch vehicles started in 2009. The Kuaizhou launch vehicles were to provide an integrated launch vehicle system with the rapid ability to replace Chinese satellites that might be damaged or destroyed in an act of aggression in orbit. The vehicle uses mobile launch platform. The launch vehicle is operated by the PLA Rocket Force.{{cite news |url=http://www.asianscientist.com/2016/09/columns/final-frontiers-expace-chinas-version-spacex-casic/|title=ExPace, China's Very Own SpaceX|first1=Phillip|last1=Keane|publisher=Asian Scientist|date=20 September 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.popsci.com/chinas-private-space-industry-booms-prepares-to-compete-with-spacex-and-blue-origin|title=China's Private Space Industry Prepares To Compete With SpaceX And Blue Origin|publisher=Popular Science|first1=Jeffrey|last1=Lin|first2=P.W.|last2=Singer|date=October 7, 2016|access-date=March 10, 2018}}
The maiden flight of Kuaizhou 1 launch vehicle, orbiting the Kuaizhou 1 natural disaster monitoring satellite, occurred on 25 September 2013, launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.{{cite news|url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2013-09/25/content_30130277.htm|title=China launches satellite to monitor natural disaster|agency=Xinhua|date=September 25, 2013}}
Second flight of Kuaizhou 1 launch vehicle, orbiting the Kuaizhou 2 natural disaster monitoring satellite, was launched at 06:37 UTC on 21 November 2014, again from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.{{cite news|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/11/china-launches-kuaizhou-2-second-launch-24-hours/|title=China launches Kuaizhou-2 in second launch within 24 hours|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|first1=Rui C.|last1=Barbosa|date=November 21, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2014/11/21/china-launches-for-the-second-time-in-24-hours/|title=China launches for the second time in 24 hours|first1=Stephen|last1=Clark|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=21 November 2014|access-date=22 November 2014}}
The first commercial launch inaugurated the Kuaizhou 1A version on 9 January 2017, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It placed three small satellites into a polar orbit.{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Stephen|title=Kuaizhou rocket lifts off on first commercial mission|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/01/09/kuaizhou-rocket-lifts-off-on-first-commercial-mission/|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=9 January 2017|access-date=9 January 2017}}
The maiden launch of Kuaizhou 11 was on 10 July 2020. The launch was a failure, and the rocket was initially declared retired in April 2022,{{cite tweet |number=1517875144751861761 |author=China Spaceflight |user=CNSpaceflight |title=In a summary of "other" launch vehicles, Kuaizhou-11 of CASIC was labeled "retired". [...] |date=23 April 2022}} but later that year it was revealed that a second launch was planned for December.{{cite web |url=https://www.ithome.com/0/656/598.htm |title=新型"太空快递员"运力再升级，快舟十一号计划年底发射 |trans-title=The capacity of the new "space courier" has been upgraded, and Kuaizhou 11 is scheduled to launch at the end of the year |date=25 November 2022 |access-date=25 November 2022}} The successful launch of Kuaizhou 11 on 7 December 2022 marked the rocket's return to service.{{cite web |last=Todd |first=David |url=https://www.seradata.com/kuaizhou-11-returns-to-operational-status-with-launch-of-jiaotong-vdes/ |title=Kuaizhou-11 returns to operational status with launch of Jiaotong VDES |work=Seradata |date=7 December 2022 |access-date=7 December 2022}}
Specifications
The solid-fuel KZ-1A can place 200 kg payload into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometres. The KZ-11 version is able to put 1000 kg to the same orbit.[https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kuaizhou-11.htm Kuaizhou-11 (KZ-11) Gunter's Space Page]
Launch preparations are designed to take very little time, and the launch can be conducted on rough terrain. The rocket's low requirements for launch help with cost savings, yielding a launch price under US$10,000 per kilogram of payload. This price level is very competitive in the international market.
Satellites can be installed on a Kuaizhou launch vehicle and stored in a maintenance facility. Once needed, the launch vehicle is deployed by a Transporter erector launcher (TEL) vehicle to a secure location. Launch readiness time can be as short as several hours.{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_rocket_readies_for_liftoff_in_2016_999.html|title=New rocket readies for liftoff in 2016|publisher=www.spacedaily.com|date=10 November 2015}}
= Models =
List of launches
Launch Statistics
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= Kuaizhou configurations =
{{#invoke:Chart | bar chart
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| group 3 = 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1:0:1:0:1:0
| colors = Gold: Orange: Blue
| group names = Kuaizhou 1: Kuaizhou 1A: Kuaizhou 11
| x legends = 2013 : : 2015 : : 2017: : 2019 : :2021 : : 2023 : : 2025
}}
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= Launch sites =
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| group 3 = 0:0:0:0:0:0:2:0:0:1:0:0:0
| colors = Purple: Orange: SteelBlue
| group names = Jiuquan: Xichang : Taiyuan
| x legends = 2013 : : 2015 : : 2017: : 2019 : :2021 : : 2023 : : 2025
}}
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= Launch outcomes =
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| group 4 = 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0
| colors = ForestGreen: Orange: FireBrick: LightBlue
| group names = Success: Partial failure: Failure: Planned
| x legends = 2013 : : 2015 : : 2017: : 2019 : :2021 : : 2023 : : 2025
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See also
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
- Kaituozhe-1, a previous Chinese small lift orbital launcher based on the DF-21 IRBM.
- China National Space Administration
- ExPace
- Long March (rocket family)
- Space program of China
- Small-lift launch vehicle
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Chinese launch systems}}
{{Expendable launch systems}}
{{Chinese space program}}
Category:Space launch vehicles of China