Chinese Centispace-1-s1 satellite launched on low-cost solid-fuel rocket

China on Saturday launched its Centispace-1-s1 satellite on a Kuaizhou-1A low-cost solid-fuel carrier rocket.

It was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.

This is the second commercial launch by the Kuaizhou-1A rocket, a low-cost solid-fuel carrier rocket with high reliability and a short preparation period, designed to launch low-orbit satellites weighing under 300 kgs, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The first launch in January 2017 sent three satellites into space.

The Kuaizhou-1A was developed by a rocket technology company under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC).

The Centispace-1-s1 was developed by Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is a technology experiment satellite for the low-orbit navigation enhancement system being developed by Beijing Future Navigation Technology Co, the report said.