TECH

CAS Space Launches Reusable Rocket in China’s Satellite Push

Published: Mar. 31, 2026 1:45 p.m. GMT+8

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The Kinetica-2, powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene, lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Testing Area on Monday. Photo: CAS Space

CAS Space Technology Co. Ltd. has completed the maiden flight of its medium-to-large reusable liquid-fuel rocket, placing three satellites into orbit.

The launch marks a milestone for China’s commercial aerospace sector, which is accelerating the development of reusable launch vehicles to overcome domestic capacity bottlenecks and lower costs amid a global rush to deploy massive low Earth orbit satellite constellations.

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CAS Space's 53m Kinetica-2 completed maiden flight from Dongfeng site, orbiting three satellites; 8t to 500km SSO, 12t to 200km LEO.
China's first Common Booster Core rocket (2-20t payload); expendable cost matches Falcon 9, halves with reuse; 4 launches planned in 2025.
$1.4B firm eyes STAR Market IPO; peers like Tianlong-3 (April), Nebula-1 (Q2) prep debuts.

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Who’s Who

CAS Space Technology Co. Ltd.: CAS Space Technology Co. Ltd. completed the maiden flight of its 53m Kinetica-2 reusable liquid oxygen-kerosene rocket, orbiting three satellites. It offers 8t to 500km SSO or 12t to 200km LEO, with costs matching expendable Falcon 9 now and half upon reusability. Plans four launches this year; advancing IPO on Shanghai STAR Market (valued >$1.4B).

SpaceX: CAS Space's Kinetica-2 rocket has an expendable launch cost comparable to a reused SpaceX Falcon 9. With reusability achieved, its cost is expected to drop to half that of the SpaceX rocket. (38 words)

Guotai Haitong Securities Co. Ltd.: CAS Space, valued at over 10 billion yuan ($1.4B), completed IPO tutoring with Guotai Haitong Securities Co. Ltd. in January, targeting a listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market.

Space Pioneer: Space Pioneer’s liquid oxygen-kerosene rocket Tianlong-3 is set for its maiden flight in Jiuquan in early April.

Deep Blue Aerospace: Deep Blue Aerospace's Nebula-1 rocket is in the final countdown for a second-quarter maiden flight at a spaceport in Shandong province.