KT-1 on Pad Media Gallery

China's first solid propellant orbital launch vehicle was derived from the first and second stages of the DF-31 ICBM with a new solid third stage. The vehicle was named Kaituozhe-1 (Explorer-1) and was capable of putting 100 kg into polar orbits.

First flight was scheduled to occur before the end of 2002. The third stage completed its first ground test firing on February 25, 2001. The Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co., Ltd. was responsible for the development of the vehicle with the 6th Academy in Inner Mongolia responsible for the solid motors. By April 2001 overall design of the vehicle and 12 subsystems had passed critical design reviews. The company also had an ambitious long-term plan to develop seven other solid engines, three additional launch vehicles, and make up to 10 launches per year by 2007.

Manufacturer: Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co Ltd. Launches: 2. Failures: 2. Success Rate: 0.00%. First Launch Date: 2002-09-15. Last Launch Date: 2003-09-16. Launch data is: continuing. LEO Payload: 100 kg (220 lb). to: 500 km Orbit. at: 98.00 degrees. Total Mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). Core Diameter: 2.00 m (6.50 ft). Total Length: 18.00 m (59.00 ft).

2000 May 28 - Launch Vehicle: KT-1.

• China to Develop Solid Fuel Launch Vehicle Nation: China. China established the Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co., Ltd., to develop the new SLV-1 launch vehicle. This would be a mobile, partially reusable small space launcher. References: 424.

• KT-1 solid rocket launcher Nation: China. China completed the overall design of the rocket engine that is to be used on its first all-solid space launch vehicle. References: 424.

• Solid Launcher Officially Named Nation: China. China's new solid small space launcher was officially named "Kaituozhe-1" (Explorer-1). The launcher would be capable of putting 100 kg into polar orbit and was scheduled to make its first flight in 2002. References: 424.

• Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1) small launcher passes design review Nation: China. A 14-member review committee concluded that the overall design of the KT-1 launch vehicle was feasible and could meet the requirement for launching micro-sats. The project officially entered the engineering phase. References: 424.

• Kaituozhe 1 Third Stage Engine Successfully Tested Nation: China. The solid engine used on the third stage of the Kaituozhe 1 launch vehicle performed its first ground test firing. The test was successful and all parameters meet design specifications. References: 424.

• Kaitozhe 1 First Commercial Launch in 2002 Nation: China. Kaituozhe 1's first commercial launch was scheduled for 2002. References: 424.

• HTSTL-1 Nation: China. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Technology. Agency: Tsinghua University (China). Manufacturer: Hangtian-Tsinghua Satellite Technology Ltd. COSPAR: F020915. First attempted launch of the all-solid-propellant KT-1 launch vehicle. The 50 kg test satellite, built by university students, was to have been placed in a 300 km polar orbit. References: 4, 552, 554.

• Kaituozhe 1 Nation: China. Payload: PS-2. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). COSPAR: F20030916. Second attempted launch of KT-1. The launch was intended to place a 40 kg microsatellite called PS-2 into a 300 x 300 km polar orbit.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Chen Lan, Dragon in Space, . The best source anywhere for information on current news regarding the Chinese space program. Accessed at: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1921/.