Kuaizhou 1A

Active

ExPace (EP)

Jan. 9, 2017

Description

Kuaizhou 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.

Specifications
  • Stages
    4
  • Length
    19.4 m
  • Diameter
    1.4 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    1.4 m
  • Launch Mass
    30.0 T
  • Thrust
Family
  • Name
    Kuaizhou 1A
  • Family
  • Variant
    1A
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Kuaizhou 1A
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    300.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    250.0 kg

ExPace

Commercial
CEO: Zhang Di
EP 2016

ExPace is a Chinese space rocket company based in Wuhan, Hubei, China. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of missileer China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), a Chinese state-owned company, and serves as its commercial rocket division. ExPace is focused on small satellite launchers to low Earth orbit.

Kuaizhou 1A | Traffic VDES A & B

ExPace | China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 5, 2025, 9 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Two technology demonstration satellites for satellite transmissions of signals for the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES), a successor to the current Automatic Identification System (AIS) on ships and maritime vessels for traffic management at sea with higher bandwidth on new frequencies for secure communications and e-navigation. This project is a joint effort by the China Ministry of Transport's China Transport Telecommunications Information Center and SpaceSail, operator of the Qianfan/G60 constellation.

Low Earth Orbit
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Kuaizhou 1A | PRSC-S1

ExPace | China
Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
July 31, 2025, 2 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Chinese built Earth observation satellite for Pakistan’s SUPARCO (Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission).

Low Earth Orbit
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