Kuaizhou 1

KZ-1 Feitian-1 FT-1

Mission Profile

The Kuaizhou 1 (KZ-1, Feitian-1, FT-1) is a three-to-four-stage Chinese solid-fuelled quick-response launch vehicle in the Kuaizhou family, derived from mobile ballistic missile technology for rapid small satellite deployment. Standing 20 m tall with a 1.4 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 30 tonnes, it generates 590 kN of first-stage thrust and can deliver 300 kg to low Earth orbit. First flying in March 2012, the Kuaizhou 1 pioneered China's concept of rapid-response military launch capability, launching within hours of receiving a launch order.