Kuaizhou-1A rocket

Shiyan-11 | Kuaizhou-1A

Lift Off Time
November 24, 2021 – 23:41:00 UTC
November 25, 2021 – 07:41:00 BJT
Mission Name
Shiyan-11, flight Y13
Launch Provider
(What rocket company was launching it?)
ExPace (part of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation CASIC)
Customer
(Who paid for this?)
No information available
Rocket
Kuaizhou-1A
Launch Location
Jiuquan Space Launch Complex, North West China
Payload mass
Unknown, but up to 300 kg (660 lb)
Where did the satellite go?
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Did they attempt to recover the first stage?
No
Where did the first stage land?
It crash landed in remote countryside, hopefully avoiding any populated areas
Did they attempt to recover the fairings?
No
Were these fairings new?
Yes
This was the:
– 46th Chinese launch of 2021
– 13th launch of a Kuaizhou 1A rocket
– 121st orbital launch attempt of 2021
Where to watch
Official livestream (if available)

How Did It Go?

ExPace, a division of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), launched the Shiyan-11 technology demonstration satellite on a Kuaizhou-1A rocket. The satellite is now in Low Earth Orbit.

What Is The Shiyan-11?

The Shiyan-11 satellite is a technology demonstrator in Low Earth Orbit. It has been reported that it was observed to be in a 489 x 502 km Sun-synchronous orbit.

Shiyan-11 was developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), according to a post from CAST’s parent company China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). There is no other public information available.

Kuaizhou-1A

The Kuaizhou rocket is a four-stage, small rocket for relatively low mass payloads to Low Earth Orbit. Its capabilities are similar to Rocket Lab’s Electron. Unlike Electron, however, it mostly uses solid fuel motors. Only the 4th stage is liquid-fueled.

KuaiZhou-1A, assembly building
Kuaizhou-1A rocket (Credit: ExPace)

Kuaizhou-1A is based on the two-stage DF-21 medium-range ballistic missile, and it first flew a commercial payload in 2017. It can loft up to 300 kg to a 500 km Low Earth Orbit, or 250 kg into a 500 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

Overall, the rocket is 20 m (~66 ft) tall with a maximum width of 1.4 m (~4 ft). At take-off, it has a mass of 30 tons, and it flies from a mobile transporter-erector vehicle, rather than a fixed launch pad.

Kuaizhou, mobile launcher
Kuaizhou-1A mobile launcher vehicle (Credit: ExPace)

“Kuai zhou” means “fast vessel”. The launch preparation only requires 6 people and can be carried out in just 24 hours.

Kuaizhou-1A. Rocket specifications
Kuaizhou-1A specifications (Credit: ExPace)

*The performance values listed for the stages below are taken from the Kauizhou-1A User’s Manual v1.1 (from 2016) and may be subject to revision if a later version of the Manual exists.

Kuaizhou-1A First Stage

The first stage is 1.4 m wide and has a solid fuel motor. It has a mass of 16.6 metric tons at take off, after which the solid motor burns for 65 s, delivering 2,352 Ns/kg (239.8 lbf s/lb) of thrust. Stage separation occurs at 83 seconds into the flight when the vehicle is about 36 km in altitude.

Kuaizhou-1A Second Stage

The second stage is also 1.4 m in diameter and also uses a solid fuel motor. The second stage is shorter than the first stage but not by much. The mass of this stage is 8,686 kg. Its motor burns for 62 seconds, providing 2,810 Ns/kg (286.5 lbf s/lb) of thrust. Stage separation takes place 161 seconds into the flight.

Kuaizhou-1A Third Stage

The third stage is slightly slimmer than the first two, at 1.2 m. It is significantly shorter than the second stage. This stage has a mass of 3,183 kg, and its motor burns for 55 seconds, giving 2,850 Ns/kg (290.6 lbf s/lb).

Kuaizhou-1A Fourth Stage

The fourth stage is the only part of the rocket that uses liquid fuel. It uses Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) for fuel and Nitrogen Tetroxide (N2O4) as oxidizer. Similar to the 3rd stage, it is also 1.2 m wide.

Liquid booster, control segment
Liquid booster control segment (Credit: ExPace)

After stage 4 shutdown, the stage coasts for about 8 seconds. This is so that the vehicle will have the appropriate angular velocities for correct payload deployment.

Kuaizhou-1A, launch profile
Kuaizhou-1A launch profile (Credit: ExPace)

Launch Sequence And Countdown

The text below is based on what was available in the User’s Manual. Not all of the phrases are completely clear. Where possible, we’ve adapted the text for improved clarity – but in other cases, we quote verbatim from the User’s Manual.

Time before launchProcedure
T-240 minPrepare for launch; launch vehicle erection
T-200 minThe whole checking of the launch vehicle
T-190 minSatellite test (The test is allocated 1 hour, but the time could be adjusted based on the actual situation)
T-130 minInstall lattice rudders
T-95 minAiming
T-70 minCorrection of guidance before launch
T-25 minCommunication & Tracking System power-on
T-15 minRecall satellite with GPS/BD2
T-10 minDemolition of defend breeze block
T-9 min 30 secCommunication & Tracking System starts work
T-9 min 30 secStart the flow of launch
T-2 minControl System power switch-over
T-1 minAutomatic ignition procedure start; engine gimbal check, safety control turning to internal power
T-0 secIgnition
Typical Pre-Launch Countdown Procedure (Credit: ExPace KZ-1A User’s Manual v1.1)

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