Kaituozhe (rocket family)
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The Kaituozhe-1 or (KT-1) (Explorer-1 in English) is a Chinese commercial launch vehicle. Small and solid-fueled, its design was based on the road mobile DF-31 ICBM with an additional upper stage. 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 kg satellite into polar orbit due to a second stage malfunction. The second flight was more successful, with Chinese officials declaring that guidance systems, fairing separation and satellite-launcher separation met "R&D standard."[citation needed] The launch vehicle is a member of the Long March rocket family[citation needed] and was manufactured by Space Solid Fuel Carrier Co.
A new version Kaituozhe-2A or KT-2[1] is scheduled for its maiden launch on 28 February 2017.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ Brügge, Norbert. "Kaituozhe KT-2". Spacerockets. Retrieved 14 February 2017.