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Lijian-1 / Zhongke-1 / ZK-1A

The Zhongke-1 (ZK-1) is a solid-fueled launch vehicle derived from the DF-31 ICBM. Beijing Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology Co., Ltd. on 20 June 2020 announced plans for two solid launch vehicles: ZK-1A plans to fly for the first time in September 2021 and have commercial launch capabilities in 2022; The ZK-2 was scheduled to fly for the first time in December 2022 and will have commercial launch capabilities in 2023. The take-off masses of the Zhongke 1A rocket and the Zhongke 2 rocket are 135 tons and 343 tons, respectively.

The solid launch vehicle has always been an indispensable part of the delivery system of various aerospace powers. It is simple and reliable. It does not need to be filled with propellant before launch and can be stored for a long time. It has simple operation, fast response and efficient launch. In the face of the upcoming global low-orbit small and medium-sized satellite launch peak period, solid launch vehicles are one of the best choices for small- and medium-sized satellites and constellation networking launches in pursuit of efficiency.

In the application field, it can be used for both military and emergency rapid launches, as well as daily launches of civilian and commercial satellites. Solid rockets are flexible and convenient to use, and have low dependence on the launch site, which greatly enriches the use and launch modes of rockets. They can be launched from land, sea or even air, and can effectively alleviate the shortage of launch sites.

In the face of the upcoming global low-orbit small and medium-sized satellite launch peak period, solid launch vehicles are one of the best choices for small- and medium-sized satellites and constellation networking launches in pursuit of efficiency.

However, due to the constraints of manufacturing and transportation conditions, most solid rockets have low carrying capacity. The sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) carrying capacity of common solid launch vehicles does not exceed 1 ton. As a result, the average launch cost per kilogram is not low, and it is difficult to launch large satellites, nor can it be launched in a large number of multiple satellites with one stone.

Specifically, the ZK-1 rocket was derived from ZK-1A and ZK-1B after a simplified configuration. Through modular and combined design, the Zhongke 1 rocket and its derivative Zhongke 1 A and B models cover the carrying capacity range of 2 tons to 3 tons in low earth orbit. It can meet the launch requirements of a large part of low-Earth orbit missions.

The core stage to the fourth stage of the Zhongke 1 rocket uses 200-ton, 100-ton, 50-ton, and 10-ton solid rocket motors, respectively, with a low-Earth orbit carrying capacity of up to 3 tons. By simplifying the configuration, the ZK-1 solid rocket can be derived into two configurations: ZK-1A and ZK-1B. Among them, the Zhongke-1A rocket is an unboosted is a four-stage solid engine tandem configuration, with a low-Earth orbit carrying capacity of about 2 tons, and a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit with a carrying capacity of 1.33 tons. The ZK-1B is a four-stage solid engine in series + two solid boosters bundled configuration, with a low-Earth orbit carrying capacity of about 2.5 Ton.

The four-stage solid carrier rocket Lijian-1 (ZK-1A), jointly developed by the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Aerospace Science and Technology, is scheduled to launch in early 2022. This solid rocket has a 500-kilometer SSO orbital carrying capacity of 1,500 kg. Yang Yiqiang, Chairman of Zhongke Aerospace, introduced: "Lijian 1 will carry out the launch mission of "One Arrow and Six Stars".""

The ZK-1A solid rocket is currently the largest solid carrier rocket with the largest carrying capacity in China, with a carrying capacity (LEO) of 2000kg, which overcomes the overall optimization design and large thrust of a large solid rocket. Key technologies such as engines, general integrated aerospace electronic technology, low-cost structure and separation technology, remote interconnection cloud computing test launch technology, etc., completed the design, production and ground test of the initial sample development.

In order to simplify the operation process of launch preparation, the Zhongke No. 1 A rocket uses the integrated design of ground measurement, launch and control and on-board avionics, which can be remotely controlled by a laptop for launch. The launch system adopts a "three flats and one vertical" design, which will reduce costs.

While pursuing low cost, the Zhongke series of solid carrier rockets have also achieved a number of technological advances, such as having a high load factor. The load factor refers to the ratio of the orbital load to the rocket's take-off mass. It is an important indicator of the performance of the launch vehicle and an important manifestation of the comprehensive design level of the launch vehicle. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is highly sought after, an important reason is that the load factor is the best among existing rockets. The carrier coefficient of the Zhongke-1A rocket in low-Earth orbit is far more than 1%, and the carrier coefficient of the 700-km SSO orbit is also close to 1%. The 0.5% of rockets is much higher, even surpassing some older liquid rockets.

CAS Space prepared for the first flight of its first product, the ZK 1A solid-propellant rocket, which was scheduled to launch six small satellites in the second half of the year, Yang Yiqiang, a senior rocket scientist and founder of CAS Space, said 04 June 2021. The 31-meter craft will be able to put satellites weighing 1.33 tons into a sun-synchronous orbit. If the launch succeeds, ZK 1A will replace the Long March 11 as China's most powerful solid-fuel rocket, he said. The company is working with the government in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to build a 40-hectare production complex in the city's Nansha district. As China's southernmost carrier rocket production facility, the complex is to have an initial annual production capacity of 30 rockets upon completion of the first phase next year, Yang said.

Speaking of how CAS Space started, Yang said the Chinese Academy of Sciences now needs a lot of carrier rockets to launch its experimental satellites and technology demonstration equipment. The top science body wanted its own rocket research and production capabilities, which resulted in the founding of CAS Space. He said one of the company's most important missions is to provide launch services for the academy.

Compared with other rocket makers, CAS Space has optimized design, procurement and manufacturing procedures, which Yang said are more efficient and economical. The company uses the latest technologies and highly integrated equipment on its rockets, which guarantees a reduction in costs and fewer problems in design, production and launch operations, he said.

The launch price target of ZK-1A (ZK-1A), the first solid carrier rocket of Zhongke Aerospace, was projected to be 70,000 yuan/kg [US$11,000 / kg = US$5,000 / lb]. It is expected to become the solid carrier rocket with the largest take-off quality, lowest overall cost, and internationally leading price-performance ratio. Facing target users, it minimizes the development cycle and cost, while inheriting the technological advancement while ensuring the high reliability of the product. In the future, it can increase the carrying capacity by replacing the liquid final stage to form a solid-liquid hybrid rocket, and expand the launch flexibility and adaptability.