New Chinese Solid Propellant Launch Vehicle First Flight Planned for 2002

China's Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co. Ltd (SSRC) is on schedule to launch its Kaituozhe 1 all-solid launch vehicle for its first flight in 2002. The vehicle's overall design and its 12 main subsystems have passed critical reviews. The Kaituozhe 1 (SLV-1) is apparently a civilian derivative of China's new DF-31 ICBM.

Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co. Ltd, incorporated in May 2000, is also developing 7 solid rocket motors and three new launch vehicles. SSRC plans to conduct up to 10 launches in 5 years. SSRC's partners are China Machinery and Electronics Engineering Integrated Design Department, China Space Machinery and Electronics (Group) Co., the Space Solid Fuel Rocket Propulsion Technology Research Institute, the Controls and Electronics Technology Research Institute and the Chenguang (Group) Co. Ltd.

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