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Kuaizhou 1A: Traffic VDES A & B

Two technology demonstration satellites for satellite transmissions of signals for the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES), a successor to the current Automatic Identification System (AIS) on ships and maritime vessels for traffic management at sea with higher bandwidth on new frequencies for secure communications and e-navigation. This project is a joint effort by the China Ministry of Transport's China Transport Telecommunications Information Center and SpaceSail, operator of the Qianfan/G60 constellation.

Friday, 5 December 202509:00 UTC
Kuaizhou 1A: Traffic VDES A & B

Mission Data

Launch VehicleKuaizhou 1A
Vehicle FamilyKuaizhou
Vehicle Record28 of 31 launches (90.3%)
Launch Provider🇨🇳 ExPace
Provider TypeCommercial
Agency Record31 successes / 4 failures (89%)
Success Streak6 consecutive
Mission TypeTechnology
Target OrbitLow Earth Orbit
Launch PadLaunch Area 95A
Location🇨🇳 Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China CHN
Orbital Launches This Year#291
Agency Launches This Year#3
Launches From This Pad69
Launches From This Site302
Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

About Kuaizhou 1A

Kuaizhou is a family of Chinese "quick-reaction" orbital launch vehicles. Flying since 2013, Kuaizhou 1 and 1A consist of three solid-fueled rocket stages, with a liquid-fueled fourth stage as part of the satellite system.

Launch updates

  1. Launch success.

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  2. Delayed to December 5 per new NOTAMs/marine navigation warnings.

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  3. Added launch per NOTAMs/marine navigation warnings; Payload and launch vehicle identities highly uncertain.

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Launch Site

Launch Area 95A · 40.9691°N 100.3433°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.