A Kuaizhou-1A small solid rocket launch vehicle was launched from the Jiuquan launch site in the Gobi Desert, Northern China, at 0208 GMT on 22 June, carrying the Tianxing-1 satellite into orbit. It marks a successful return to operations after a second stage launch failure in December 2021 when two Geesat automobile communications satellites were lost. The launch was operated by ExPace (CASIC Rocket Technology Company).
The satellite is thought to be an electronic/signals intelligence one. Officially China described it as being used for “space environment detection”. The nation has never admitted sending military spacecraft into orbit.
Kuaizhou 1A launches Tianxing 1 on 22 June 2022. Courtesy: Ourspace/CNSA
