CAS Space, registered in December 2018 as Beijing Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology, is prioritizing developing solid rockets before developing more complex liquid propellant launchers.

Capable of lifting 1.33 tons to SSO, the company will demonstrate its Zhongke-1A rocket.

The Zhongke-1A could be China’s largest solid orbital rocket in terms of payload capacity at the time of flight.

It is a four-stage SLV. The specified thrust for the 4 solid fuel motors is 200, 100, 50 and 10 t. The rocket is likely an upgraded KZ-11 launcher, with a core diameter of 2.20 m and a takeoff weight of 135 t.

Courtesy of CAS