| Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | CAS Space |
| Country of origin | China |
| Size | |
| Height | 53 m (174 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Mass | 625 t (615 long tons; 689 short tons) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) |
| Payload to 500 km SSO | |
| Mass | 8,000 kg (18,000 lb)[1] |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Success(es) | 1 |
| Failure | 0 |
| Partial failure | 0 |
| First flight | 30 March 2026 |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 3 x YF-102[1] |
| Maximum thrust | 3 x 835 kN (188,000 lbf) (Sea level:) |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| Boosters | |
| No. boosters | 2 |
| Powered by | 3 x YF-102[1] |
| Maximum thrust | 3 x 835 kN (188,000 lbf) (Sea level:) |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 1 x YF-102V[2] |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
Kinetica 2 (Chinese: 力箭二号; pinyin: Lìjiàn èr hào; lit. 'Powerful Rocket-2', also known as Lijian-2, LJ-2) is a Chinese medium-lift orbital launch vehicle developed by CAS Space.
Design
[edit]Kinetica 2 uses two liquid-propellant rocket stages. In its initial configuration, first stage propulsion uses a modular rocket design with three identical rockets strapped together side-by-side.[3] It is capable of lifting 12 t (12 long tons; 13 short tons) to low Earth orbit (LEO) or 8.0 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons) to a 500 km (310 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).[4][1] In plans for the first stage and booster recovery by 2027.[5]
History
[edit]CAS Space conducted ground tests for the 2-stage Kinetica 2 in 2025. Its maiden flight was conducted from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) on 30 March 2026, sending two satellites and prototype cargo vessel Qingzhou for the Chinese Space Station into a SSO orbit.[1]
Heavy variant
[edit]A more powerful version of Kinetica 2 would have four (rather than two) boosters around the center core. In an IPO filing for trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, CAS Space has indicated the first flight of the Kinetica 2 Heavy is planned for 2028.[6]
Launch statistics
[edit]Launch outcomes
[edit]- Failure
- Partial failure
- Success
- Planned
Launches
[edit]| Flight number | Serial number | Date (UTC) | Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Y1 | 30 March 2026 11:00 |
LS-140, JSLC | New March 01, Qingzhou Spacecraft Demo Flight, TS 01 | SSO | Success | First Orbital Flight of Kinetica 2. |
See also
[edit]
- Comparison of orbital launcher families
- Comparison of orbital launch systems
- Expendable launch system
- Lists of rockets
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Jones, Andrew (30 March 2026). "China's Kinetica-2 rocket debuts successfully, sending prototype cargo spacecraft to orbit". SpaceNews. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ^ "Re: Xinzhengcheng 01/02 & Tianshi 01 - Lijian-2 - JSLC - March 30, 2026 (11:00 UTC), Reply #63". nasaspaceflight.com. 30 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ^ https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/a-new-rocket-sea-launches-and-more-chinese-company-cas-space-is-thinking-big
- ^ "力箭二号液体运载火箭将于2025年首飞，拟执行重要发射任务" (in Chinese). CAS Space. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ "中科宇航提升火箭发射效率——航班化发射卫星渐成现实". www.ce.cn. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2026-03-31/doc-inhswxzv9120183.shtml