CAS Space’s Kinetica 1 Launch Reaches 100 Satellites as IPO Approaches

Select Language:

CAS Space successfully launched eight customer satellites into their intended orbit today using its Kinetica 1 Yaoshi-14 carrier rocket, confirming that the Kinetica 1 family is the only privately-developed commercial rocket in China to have deployed over 100 satellites.

The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at noon, marking the third launch of the Kinetica 1 series this quarter. Earlier launches in April and May deployed a total of 13 satellites, helping the Guangzhou-based company secure the top spot in China’s private satellite launch market.

This event was the 14th mission for the Kinetica 1 rocket series, which has successfully delivered 105 satellites into orbit with a combined payload weight exceeding 15 tons. Kinetica 1 remains the only private Chinese commercial rocket to have launched more than 100 satellites.

Designed primarily as a solid-fuel carrier, Kinetica 1 is aimed at swiftly deploying low-Earth-orbit satellite constellations for remote sensing, navigation, and communication network support. All eight satellites in this mission were high-resolution optical imaging satellites.

The company has developed China’s first data-driven ground launch and testing software, along with the nation’s first layered flight control system. These innovations allow full autonomous and intelligent operation from pre-launch checks to satellite separation, said Meng Fanbin, deputy chief designer of Kinetica 1.

The proprietary software platform gives the rocket an “intelligent brain,” which significantly reduces launch costs, accelerates development timelines, and boosts reliability. This groundwork is essential for enabling frequent, low-cost, large-scale commercial space missions.

CAS Space filed for an initial public offering on the Star Market in March, with the Shanghai Stock Exchange accepting the application. Around 98% of the company’s revenue comes from rocket launch services, though it has yet to turn a profit, according to its public filing.

The company was incubated by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and reported a net loss of CNY 749 million (about USD 104 million) in the first nine months of last year, on revenue of CNY 84.2 million (roughly USD 11.6 million). Since 2022, total losses have reached CNY 3.8 billion (around USD 538 million).

Founder and major stakeholder Yang Yiqiang previously served as the first chief commander of the Long March 11 rocket program at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, overseeing overall development and project management.