ExPace – Summary of the Chinese Launch Provider

ExPace Technology Corporation (also called ExPace or CASIC Rocket Technology Co. Ltd.) is a commercial launch service provider in China specializing in small- to medium-class solid-propellant rockets. It operates under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), one of China’s largest state-owned defense and aerospace groups.

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Founding Details

• Founded: 2016
• Headquarters: Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
• Parent Organization: CASIC (China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation)
• Purpose:
  • To commercialize CASIC’s missile-derived solid-fuel technologies
  • To offer rapid, low-cost launch services for small satellites, LEO constellations, and responsive missions
• Primary Launch Vehicle Family: Kuaizhou (KZ) series, particularly Kuaizhou-1A and Kuaizhou-11

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Key Milestones

2016

• ExPace is officially established as a commercial launch company.

2017

• First commercial orbital launch of the Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) rocket.
  • Marked one of China’s earliest commercially operated small-satellite launch services.
• Demonstrated rapid pre-launch preparation (hours instead of days), derived from mobile missile launch technology.

2019

• Multiple KZ-1A launches serving commercial remote-sensing and technology-demo satellites.
• Significant customer growth inside China’s rising small-satellite and constellation market.

2020

• Maiden flight of Kuaizhou-11 (KZ-11), a larger, four-stage solid rocket designed to lift heavier payloads (~1 ton to LEO).
  • Outcome: The first flight failed, resulting in a loss of payloads.

2022

• Kuaizhou-1A returns to high launch cadence with several missions from Jiuquan.
• Work continues on recovering from the KZ-11 failure and moving toward re-qualification.

2023–2024

• KZ-1A logs numerous successful missions, often launching groups of Earth-observation and IoT satellites.
• ExPace becomes one of China’s most frequently launching commercial operators.

2024–2025

• Ongoing development of improved KZ-11 variants and additional mission configurations.
• Rapid-launch and responsive-space services receive priority as part of China’s national strategy for commercial space.

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Launch Vehicles

Kuaizhou-1A

• Solid-propellant, mobile launcher
• Payload: ~200 kg to 700 km SSO
• Known for very fast integration and launch readiness

Kuaizhou-11

• Larger solid launcher
• Payload: up to ~1 ton to LEO
• Designed for commercial constellation deployment
• Awaiting stabilized operations after initial setback

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Future Plans

ExPace’s future direction aligns closely with China’s national push for commercial space expansion. Key focus areas include:

1. Higher Launch Cadence

• Increase annual launches of KZ-1A to support domestic and foreign small-satellite customers.

2. Commercialization of KZ-11

• Return-to-flight campaigns for Kuaizhou-11, aiming for:
  • Higher payload capacity
  • Cost reduction
  • Constellation deployment missions

3. Responsive & Mobile Launch Services

• Strengthen fast-launch capabilities for:
  • Disaster monitoring satellites
  • Rapid replacement of LEO constellation spacecraft
  • National defense applications

4. International Market Expansion

• Potential partnerships with Belt and Road Initiative countries
• Export or cooperative launch packages once regulatory clearance is in place

5. Development of New Solid-Fuel Vehicles

• Possible mid-size solid launchers to bridge the gap between KZ-1A and KZ-11
• Enhanced orbital insertion precision and multi-payload deployment capability

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Overall Assessment

ExPace is one of China’s leading commercial launch operators specializing in solid-fuel, rapid-response rockets. With consistent KZ-1A performance and ongoing redevelopment of KZ-11, the company is positioned to play a major role in the deployment of Chinese LEO constellations, emergency launches, and low-cost space access.

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Rideshare missions by ExPace

Rideshare Mission	Launch date	Launch vehicle	Spacecraft launched	Orbit
Kuaizhou-1A / Tianmu-1 7 – 10	20 July 2023	Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A)	4	LEO
Kuaizhou-1A / Tianmu-1 3 – 6	22 March 2023	Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A)	4	LEO