China Successfully Launches Kuaizhou-11 Y8 Rocket Carrying Commercial Experimental Spacecraft

Successful Launch from Jiuquan

China successfully launched its Kuaizhou-11 Y8 carrier rocket on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 9:08 a.m. Beijing time. The launch took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province, successfully sending its payloads into their planned orbit. This mission represents the fourth flight of the Kuaizhou-11 rocket series.

Dual Payloads for Commercial and Experimental Missions

The Kuaizhou-11 Y8 rocket carried two primary payloads: a commercial space experimental spacecraft named Di'er-5 (DEAR-5) and a secondary satellite, Xiwang-5 Phase II.

• The Di'er-5 spacecraft is a cargo-capable experimental space platform developed by the private firm AZ Space Technologies (AZSPACE), a Beijing-based commercial space company. It is designed to support orbital operations for at least one year and can transmit experimental data back to Earth. The spacecraft can carry up to 300 kilograms of payload and offers 1.8 cubic meters of cargo space, comprising service and payload modules. The mission includes 34 experiments from universities, research institutions, and companies, covering fields such as microgravity research, space technology, space materials science, and new technology verification. Di'er-5 features a cylindrical design with a tapered top, fitted with two thin-film solar arrays, and is equipped with various instruments including an optical camera, space environment sensors, a space plant growth facility, a mini space lab, and a flexible sealed compartment. It will operate in a near-Earth circular orbit at an altitude of 530 km, with a long-term operational altitude of 343 km and an inclination of 41.5°.
• The Xiwang-5 Phase II satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology.

Kuaizhou-11 Rocket Capabilities

The Kuaizhou-11 is a solid-fueled launch vehicle developed by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). It is capable of delivering payloads of up to one ton (1000 kg) to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The Kuaizhou series is known for its emphasis on mobile deployment and short preparation times, making it a versatile option for rapid-response launches. The Kuaizhou-11 has a diameter of 2.2 meters and a launch mass of 78 tonnes, with its first stage featuring grid fins for potential boosted recovery.

Advancing China's Commercial Space Sector

This successful launch signifies a new stage for China's private spacecraft industry and the commercial operations of private cargo spacecraft. Analysts note that China's commercial space sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and expanding launch capabilities. Projections indicate that the scale of China's commercial space market is expected to exceed 2.5 trillion yuan ($348 billion) in 2025.