China’s Expace reports short flight test of Kuaizhou reusable launcher
A Chinese state-owned enterprise has shared details about a test flight of the Kuaizhou reusable launch vehicle prototype. The test involved a brief lift from the pad followed by a controlled descent and landing. The update appeared on the WeChat account managed by Expace—also known as CASIC Rocket Technology Company—and was presented as a successful demonstration of the vehicle’s stability and performance on its first flight after preparation and testing.
According to Expace, the entire event lasted 22 seconds, with nine seconds spent in flight. The propulsion system operated using a methane and liquid oxygen propellant combination, and the landing was reported to have been accurate with no damage to the rocket body. The agency framed the mission as a complete success, highlighting that both ascent and landing proceeded as planned and that the vehicle remained structurally intact after touchdown.
Expace operates under the umbrella of CASIC, China’s large state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate. This connection places the company within a broader national strategy to advance domestic launch capabilities alongside CASC, the organization behind the Long March family of launch vehicles. CASIC’s aim includes developing autonomous rocket systems and expanding China’s reach in the commercial and governmental launch sectors while maintaining a focus on domestic capability and technological self-reliance.
Since the start of 2024, Expace has conducted two orbital demonstrations using the Kuaizhou line of single-use solid-fuel rockets. These orbital attempts mark a step in testing the formal capabilities of the Kuaizhou series within a rapid development program that seeks to balance reliability with the rapid iteration often seen in domestic launch initiatives.
China has also reported the successful initiation of three research satellites in related programs, signaling continued momentum in space research and satellite deployment within the broader Chinese space program. The sequence of tests and satellite deployments reflects ongoing efforts to mature both reusable and expendable launch technologies as part of strategic national goals.
Source: Expace and CASIC