Kaituozhe-1

KT-1

Mission Profile

The Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1) was a three-to-four-stage Chinese solid-fuelled small launch vehicle in the Kaituozhe family, derived from DF-21 mobile ballistic missile technology for small satellite delivery. Standing 13.6 m tall with a 1.4 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 20 tonnes, it could deliver 100 kg to low Earth orbit. First flying in September 2002, the Kaituozhe-1 failed on its maiden flight but was an early Chinese attempt at converting military missile technology into a commercial small satellite launcher.