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The Kaituozhe (Chinese: 开拓者; pinyin: kāi tuò zhě; lit. 'pioneer') or KT rocket family is a series of launch vehicles built by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Kaituozhe-1

Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1) was small, solid fueled launch vehicle based on the road mobile DF-21 IRBM with an additional upper stage (in total 4 stages^[1]). It was 13.6 meters in length and 1.4 meters in diameter, with launch mass of 20t. It was possible to launch KT-1 both from a truck-based platform or from airborne platform.^[1] It had a 100 kg to LEO payload capacity. It was possibly the launch vehicle for a Chinese ASAT system that was tested against an old Chinese weather satellite in 2007.^[2]

The vehicle has performed two flights, the first on 15 September 2002 and the second 16 September 2003. The first flight failed to place a 50 kg satellite into polar orbit due to a second stage malfunction. The second flight was also a failure, however Chinese officials declared some success citing the guidance systems, fairing separation and satellite-launcher separation as successful. The second launch sent the payload, PS-2 microsatellite (40 kg) into wrong orbit. The satellite completed barely one orbit before re-entering the atmosphere.^[1]

The Kaituozhe-1 launcher appears to have been cancelled after two unsuccessful launches. A third (in 2004) and fourth launch have been rumored, but are not confirmed.^[2]^[1]

The rocket had three variants: the Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1), the Kaituozhe-1A (KT-1A, originally designated KT-2, not to be confused with KT-2 below) and the Kaituozhe-1B (KT-1B, originally designated KT-2A, not to be confused with KT-2A below). The rockets that flew were of the KT-1 variant. The KT-1A and KT-1B variant rockets were not built.^[1]

Kaituozhe-2

Like its predecessor the Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2) is a solid-fueled launch vehicle which could be based on the DF-31 missile.^[3] Two versions have been proposed:^{[citation needed]}

Kaituozhe-2

The Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2, AKA Kaituo-2) features a possibly DF-31 based stage 1, topped by a small diameter stage 2 and 3. It has reportedly a payload of 800 kg to low earth orbit.^[4]

The maiden flight of the Kaituozhe-2^[5] took place at 23:45 UTC on March 2, 2017, from Jiuquan (apparently from one of the two solid rocket launch pads^[1]).^[3]^[6] The rocket placed the Tiankun-1 (TK-1) satellite into polar orbit.^[7]

The KT-2 is a rapid-response launcher; the rocket is capable of mobile-launch from a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle.^[1]

Kaituozhe-2A

The Kaituozhe-2A (KT-2A) features a possibly DF-31 based stage 1, augmented by two DF-21 based strap-on boosters. It features a stage 2 with the same diameter as the stage 1 and the same smaller diameter stage 3 as the Kaituozhe-2. It has reportedly a payload of 2000 kg to low Earth orbit.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "CASIC KT-2 lofts small satellite into orbit". 3 March 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1)". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
^ ^a ^b Clark, Stephen (3 March 2017). "Small experimental satellite launched by new Chinese rocket". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
^ "Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2)". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
^ Brügge, Norbert. "Kaituozhe KT-2". Spacerockets. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
^ "Experimental Tiankun-1 lofted during secretive KT-2 launch". NASASpaceflight.com. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
^ "China conducts secretive Debut Launch of Kaituozhe-2 Rocket – Spaceflight101". 3 March 2017.

[ChinaSpaceReport-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "CASIC KT-2 lofts small satellite into orbit". 3 March 2017.

[Gunter-2] "Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1)". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2017-03-03.

[sfn-20170303-3] Clark, Stephen (3 March 2017). "Small experimental satellite launched by new Chinese rocket". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 7 March 2017.

[4] "Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2)". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2017-03-03.

[5] Brügge, Norbert. "Kaituozhe KT-2". Spacerockets. Retrieved 14 February 2017.

[6] "Experimental Tiankun-1 lofted during secretive KT-2 launch". NASASpaceflight.com. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-03.

[7] "China conducts secretive Debut Launch of Kaituozhe-2 Rocket – Spaceflight101". 3 March 2017.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Chinese solid fueled launch vehicle based on the road mobile DF-21 IRBM }}
-{{redirect|Kaituozhe-1|the drone aircraft "Pioneer I"|Genius Hi-Tech UAV}}
-{{Refimprove|date=June 2008}}
+{{More citations needed|date=June 2008}}
-The '''Kaituozhe''' ({{lang-zh|s=开拓者|p=kāi tuò zhě|l=''pioneer''}}) or '''''KT''''' rocket family is a series of launch vehicles built by the [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] (CASC).
+The '''Kaituozhe''' ({{lang-zh|s=开拓者|p=kāi tuò zhě|l=pioneer}}) or '''KT''' rocket family is a series of launch vehicles built by the [[China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation]] (CASC).
-== Kaituozhe-1 ==
-'''Kaituozhe-1''' ('''KT-1''') was small, solid fueled launch vehicle. The vehicle has performed two flights, the first in September 2002 and the second exactly one year later. The first flight failed to place a 50&nbsp;kg [[satellite]] into polar orbit due to a second stage malfunction. The second flight was also a failure, however Chinese officials declared some success citing the guidance systems, fairing separation and satellite-launcher separation as successful. The Kaituozhe-1 launcher appears to have been cancelled after two unsuccessful launches. A third and fourth launch have been rumored, but are not confirmed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kaituozhe-1.htm|title=Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1)|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>
-=== Kaituozhe-1 ===
+== Kaituozhe-1 ==
 {{anchor|KT-1}}
+'''Kaituozhe-1''' ('''KT-1''') was small, solid fueled launch vehicle based on the road mobile [[DF-21]] IRBM with an additional upper stage (in total 4 stages<ref name="ChinaSpaceReport"/>). It was 13.6 meters in length and 1.4 meters in diameter, with launch mass of 20t. It was possible to launch KT-1 both from a truck-based platform or from airborne platform.<ref name="ChinaSpaceReport"/> It had a 100&nbsp;kg to LEO payload capacity. It was possibly the launch vehicle for a Chinese ASAT system that was tested against an old Chinese weather satellite in 2007.<ref name="Gunter"/>
-The Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1)
+The vehicle has performed two flights, the first on 15 September 2002 and the second 16 September 2003. The first flight failed to place a 50&nbsp;kg [[satellite]] into polar orbit due to a second stage malfunction. The second flight was also a failure, however Chinese officials declared some success citing the guidance systems, fairing separation and satellite-launcher separation as successful. The second launch sent the payload, PS-2 microsatellite (40&nbsp;kg) into wrong orbit. The satellite completed barely one orbit before re-entering the atmosphere.<ref name="ChinaSpaceReport"/>
-=== Kaituozhe-1A ===
-{{anchor|KT-1A}}
-The Kaituozhe-1A (KT-1A)
+The Kaituozhe-1 launcher appears to have been cancelled after two unsuccessful launches. A third (in 2004) and fourth launch have been rumored, but are not confirmed.<ref name="Gunter">{{Cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kaituozhe-1.htm|title=Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1)|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref><ref name="ChinaSpaceReport"/>
-=== Kaituozhe-1B ===
-{{anchor|KT-1B}}
+The rocket had three variants: the '''Kaituozhe-1''' ('''KT-1'''), the '''Kaituozhe-1A''' ('''KT-1A''', originally designated KT-2, not to be confused with KT-2 below) and the '''Kaituozhe-1B''' ('''KT-1B''', originally designated KT-2A, not to be confused with KT-2A below). The rockets that flew were of the KT-1 variant. The KT-1A and KT-1B variant rockets were not built.<ref name="ChinaSpaceReport"/>
-The Kaituozhe-1B (KT-1B)
 == Kaituozhe-2 ==
-Like its predecessor the '''Kaituozhe-2''' ('''KT-2''') is a solid-fueled launch vehicle which could be based on the [[DF-31|DF-31 missile]].<ref name=sfn-20170303/> Two versions were proposed:{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
+Like its predecessor the '''Kaituozhe-2''' ('''KT-2''') is a solid-fueled launch vehicle which could be based on the [[DF-31|DF-31 missile]].<ref name=sfn-20170303/> Two versions have been proposed:{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
 === Kaituozhe-2 ===
 {{anchor|KT-2}}
-The Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2) features a possibly DF-31 based stage 1, topped by a smalled diameter stage 2 and 3. It has reportedly a payload of 800 kg to low earth orbit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kaituozhe-2.htm|title=Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2)|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>
+The '''Kaituozhe-2''' ('''KT-2''', AKA '''Kaituo-2''') features a possibly DF-31 based stage 1, topped by a small diameter stage 2 and 3. It has reportedly a payload of 800&nbsp;kg to low earth orbit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/kaituozhe-2.htm|title=Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2)|website=space.skyrocket.de|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>
-The maiden flight of the '''Kaituozhe-2'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/China/Kaituozhe-2/Description/Text.htm |title=Kaituozhe KT-2 |work=Spacerockets |first=Norbert |last=Brügge |access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> took place at 23:45 UTC on March 3, 2017 from [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center|Jiuquan]].<ref name=sfn-20170303>{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/03/03/small-experimental-satellite-launched-by-new-chinese-rocket/ |title=Small experimental satellite launched by new Chinese rocket |first=Stephen |last=Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=3 March 2017 |accessdate=7 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/03/experimental-tk-1-lofted-kt-2-launch/|title=Experimental Tiankun-1 lofted during secretive KT-2 launch|website=NASASpaceflight.com|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>
+The maiden flight of the Kaituozhe-2<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_1/China/Kaituozhe-2/Description/Text.htm |title=Kaituozhe KT-2 |work=Spacerockets |first1=Norbert |last1=Brügge |access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> took place at 23:45 UTC on March 2, 2017, from [[Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center|Jiuquan]] (apparently from one of the two solid rocket launch pads<ref name="ChinaSpaceReport"/>).<ref name=sfn-20170303>{{cite news |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/03/03/small-experimental-satellite-launched-by-new-chinese-rocket/ |title=Small experimental satellite launched by new Chinese rocket |first1=Stephen |last1=Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=3 March 2017 |access-date=7 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/03/experimental-tk-1-lofted-kt-2-launch/|title=Experimental Tiankun-1 lofted during secretive KT-2 launch|website=NASASpaceflight.com|date=3 March 2017|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref> The rocket placed the [[Tiankun-1]] (TK-1) satellite into polar orbit.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://spaceflight101.com/china-conducts-secretive-debut-launch-of-kaituozhe-2-rocket/ |title = China conducts secretive Debut Launch of Kaituozhe-2 Rocket – Spaceflight101| date=3 March 2017 }}</ref>
+The KT-2 is a rapid-response launcher; the rocket is capable of mobile-launch from a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle.<ref name="ChinaSpaceReport">{{Cite web | url=https://chinaspacereport.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/casic-kt-2-lofts-small-satellite-into-orbit/ |title = CASIC KT-2 lofts small satellite into orbit|date = 3 March 2017}}</ref>
 === Kaituozhe-2A ===
 {{anchor|KT-2A}}
-The Kaituozhe-2A (KT-2A) features a possibly DF-31 based stage 1, augmented by two DF-21 based strap-on boosters. It features a stage 2 with the same diameter as the stage 1 and the same smaller diameter stage 3 as the Kaituozhe-2. It has reportedly a payload of 2000 kg to low earth orbit.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
+The Kaituozhe-2A (KT-2A) features a possibly DF-31 based stage 1, augmented by two DF-21 based strap-on boosters. It features a stage 2 with the same diameter as the stage 1 and the same smaller diameter stage 3 as the Kaituozhe-2. It has reportedly a payload of 2000 kg to low Earth orbit.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
 ==See also==
 * [[Comparison of orbital launchers families]]
 * [[Comparison of orbital launch systems]]
+* [[Kuaizhou|Kuaizhou launcher]]
+* [[Long March 6]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 {{Chinese launch systems}}
 {{Expendable launch systems}}
+{{Chinese space program}}
 [[Category:Space launch vehicles of China]]
 [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2002]]
-{{china-stub}}
-{{rocket-stub}}
-{{space-stub}}

v t e Orbital launch systems
List of orbital launch systems Comparison of orbital launch systems
Current	Angara 1.2 A5 Ariane 6 Atlas V Ceres 1 1S Chollima-1 Electron Falcon 9 Block 5 Falcon Heavy Firefly Alpha Gravity-1 GSLV H-IIA H3 Hyperbola-1 Jielong 1 3 KAIROS^† Kaituozhe 2 Kinetica 1 Kuaizhou 1 1A 11 Long March 2C 2D 2F 3A 3B/E 3C 4B 4C 5 5B 6 6A 7 7A 8 11 11H LVM3 Minotaur I IV V C Nuri OS-M1^† Pegasus XL Proton-M PSLV Qaem 100 Qased RS1^† Shavit 2 Simorgh SLS Block 1 Soyuz-2 2.1a / STA 2.1b / STB 2-1v SSLV Starship Tianlong-2 Unha Vega C Vulcan Centaur Zhuque 2
In development	Antares 330 Bloostar Cyclone-4M Deca Epsilon S Eris Gravity-2 Hyperbola-2 Irtysh Kuaizhou 21 31 Long March 9 10 12 Miura 5 MLV Neutron New Glenn New Line 1 NGLV Nova OS-M 2 4 Orbex Prime Pallas-1 Red Dwarf SLS Block 1B Block 2 Soyuz-7 Terran R Tianlong-3 VLM Vega E Zero Zhuque 3 Zuljanah
Retired	Antares 110 120 130^† 230 230+ Ariane 1 2 3 4 5 ASLV Athena I II Atlas B D E/F G H I II III LV-3B SLV-3 Able^† Agena Centaur Black Arrow Conestoga^† Delta A B C D E G J L M N 0100 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 II III IV IV Heavy Diamant Dnepr Energia Epsilon Europa I^† II^† Falcon 1 Falcon 9 v1.0 v1.1 v1.2 "Full Thrust" Feng Bao 1 GSLV Mk I H-I H-II H-IIB Juno I Juno II Kaituozhe-1 Kosmos original 1 2/2I 3 3M Lambda 4S LauncherOne Long March 1 1D^† 2A 2E 3 3B 4A Mu 4S 3C 3H 3S 3SII V N1^† N-I N-II Naro-1 Paektusan^† Pilot-2^† R-7 Luna Molniya M L Polyot Soyuz original FG L M U U2 Soyuz/Vostok Sputnik Voskhod Vostok L K 2 2M R-29 Shtil' Volna^† Rocket 3 Safir 1 1A 1B Saturn I IB V Scout X-1 Blue Scout II^† X-2^† X-2M X-3 X-3M X-4 X-2B^† B A B-1 D-1 A-1 E-1 F-1 G-1 Shavit original 1 SLV Space Shuttle SPARK^† Sparta SS-520 Start-1 Terran 1^† Thor Able Ablestar 1 2 Agena A B D Burner 1 2 Delta DSV-2U Thorad-Agena SLV-2G SLV-2H Titan II GLV IIIA IIIB IIIC IIID IIIE 34D 23G CT-3 IV Tsyklon R-36-O original 2 3 Universal Rocket UR-500 Proton Proton-K Rokot Strela Vanguard Vega original VLS-1^† Zenit 2 2M 2FG 3SL 3SLB 3F Zhuque 1^†
Classes	Sounding rocket Small-lift launch vehicle Medium-lift launch vehicle Heavy-lift launch vehicle Super heavy-lift launch vehicle
This Template lists historical, current, and future space rockets that at least once attempted (but not necessarily succeeded in) an orbital launch or that are planned to attempt such a launch in the future Symbol ^† indicates past or current rockets that attempted orbital launches but never succeeded (never did or has yet to perform a successful orbital launch)