The new solid rocket Kuaizhou launch vehicle successfully orbited a test reconnaissance satellite named Kuaizhou-1 from the Jiuquan launch site in China at 0437 GMT on 25 September. Details of the Kuaizhou (translation: fast clipper) launch vehicle remain sketchy but is thought to be a derivative of the CASIC built DF-21 ballistic missile. The rocket is designed to orbit small satellites at very quick notice. According to the astrphysicist and orbital analyst Jonathan McDowell’s analysis of the craft’s orbit (from US Space Command’s data), the initial orbit achieved was 275 x 293km at 96.7 degrees inclination. The satellite raised itself on on 27 September to 299 x 306 km and is operated by the State Remote Sensing Center.
New Kuaizhou Chinese quick response launch vehicle has successful launch
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