China's Kuaizhou-1A Rocket Successfully Launches Three Satellites In Space

China's Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) rocketed into space from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 12:11 p.m., Monday Beijing Time. It sent three small satellites that include satellite JL-1 and two CubeSats XY-S1 and Caton-1 in space.

Rocket Kuaizhou-1A sends 3 satellites into space in its first commercial mission from NW China’s Jiuquan pic.twitter.com/SdfH4XOvf1

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) January 9, 2017

#China on Mon successfully launched 3 satellites via a Kuaizhou-1A rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center pic.twitter.com/RYEPdTmW0J — People's Daily,China (@PDChina) January 9, 2017

JL-1 satellite, also referred to as Linggiao 3, is a multifunctional remote-sensing satellite that provides high-definition video images. This could be used for land resource and forestry surveying, transport and disaster prevention and relief purposes and environmental protection. Meanwhile, the XY-S1 and Caton-1 are satellites for testing technologies of low-orbit narrow-band communication and VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) respectively, according to China.org.

China launches commercial rocket mission Kuaizhou-1A https://t.co/zj49pOK7R1 pic.twitter.com/9PIewdHMyW — CCTV (@CCTV) January 9, 2017

The satellites will also aid in employing a security monitoring system for navigation at sea. Kuaizhou means "speedy vessel." It composed of three solid-fueled rocket stages that have a liquid-fueled fourth stage as part of the satellite system.

Meanwhile, the Kuaizhou-1A is a high reliability and low-cost solid launch vehicle. It is developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASIC). Likewise, it is commercialized by the China Space Sanjiang Group Corporation (EXPAGE), according to NASA SpaceFlight.

The vehicle can launch a 200-kg payload into a 700-km Sun-synchronous orbit. It could be used for multiple payloads. Its launch vehicle is about 20 meters in length with the lift-off mass of 30 tons. It also has a maximum diameter of about 1.4 meters. Its power is supported by one liquid motor and three solid motors.