Kaituozhe-2 (Tiankun 1) [CASIC]
Kaituozhe-2A ?
(model)
The Kaituozhe-2 (KT-2) (KT-2) is a solid-fueled launch vehicle based on the DF-31 missile.
KT-2 was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASIC). Two versions were proposed.
The Kaituozhe-2 features a DF-31 based stage 1, topped by a smaller diameter stage 2 and 3. It has reportedly a payload of 800 kg to low earth orbit.
The Kaituozhe-2A features a DF-31 based stage 1, augmented by two DF-21 based strap-on boosters. It features a stage 2 with the same diameter as the stage 1 and the same smaller diameter stage 3 as the Kaituozhe-2. It has reportedly a payload of 2000 kg to low earth orbit.
Originally it had been thhought, that the development of this rocket was stopped along with the Kaituozhe-1 (KT-1), but later there were indiaction of a continued development.
These versions descriptions might be outdated.
The maiden flight of a Kaituozhe-2 took place in March 2017 from Jiuquan. A flight of a Kaituozhe-2A is also planned for later in 2017.
| Version | Booster | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaituozhe-2 | - | solid | solid | solid |
| Kaituozhe-2A | 2 × solid | solid | solid | solid |
| Performance (kg) | LEO | LPEO | SSO | GTO | GEO | MolO | IP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaituozhe-2 | 350 | 250 | - | - | - | - | |
| Kaituozhe-2A | 2000 ? | - | - | - | - |
No: Type: Date LS Payload
1 Kaituozhe-2 02.03.2017 Jq LP-43/95B Tiankun 1 plannned: Launch sites: Jq = Jiuquan Space Center, Inner Mongolia, China China F Failure P Partial Failure