A powerful Chinese commercial rocket has carried seven satellites into space, including two small but unique satellites built in Mexico. The rocket, named Kinetica 1, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. The launch took place at 3:33 pm and successfully placed the satellites into their planned orbit.
Kinetica 1 rocket achieves another successful mission
The mission marked the eighth flight of the Kinetica 1 series, which has quickly become one of the most reliable vehicles in China’s growing commercial space industry. The rocket was designed to launch small and medium-sized satellites into orbit with precision. It is 30 meters long, has a diameter of 2.65 meters, and weighs about 135 tons at liftoff. It can carry a total payload of around 1.5 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit 500 kilometers above Earth.
In this mission, the rocket transported a synthetic aperture radar satellite, an Earth-observation satellite, and five experimental satellites. These satellites will be used for various purposes such as observing the Earth’s surface, collecting data, and testing new technologies. Among these, the Mexican-built satellites stood out because of their unusual design and purpose.
Unique Mexican satellites spark global curiosity
The Mexican contribution came from ThumbSat-1 and ThumbSat-2, two miniature satellites weighing only about 100 grams each. These are among the smallest satellites ever carried into orbit. Despite their size, they were designed to carry meaningful and creative tasks.
ThumbSat-1 carries a “selfie payload”, which means it is programmed to capture its own reflection in space, like a mirror-selfie. ThumbSat-2, on the other hand, was designed with an artistic payload, blending science and creativity. Instead of focusing only on data, it aims to show that space exploration can also be a form of artistic expression.
These satellites were made possible through close collaboration between the Mexican satellite company and the Chinese rocket maker. Engineers from both sides worked together to create a special deployer system, which allowed the satellites to be released safely into space. This cooperation marked a major milestone in space ties between China and Mexico.
To make the mission even more interactive, the Mexican side has announced that it will establish ground stations across the country. Students and space enthusiasts will be able to use antennas and software, free of cost, to track the signals from the satellites. This step allows people outside of professional research organizations to directly participate in the mission, creating a link between space technology and everyday people.
Expanding role of Kinetica 1 in international missions
The success of this mission highlights the growing role of the Kinetica 1 rocket in both domestic and international satellite launches. So far, Kinetica 1 rockets have placed 70 satellites into orbit, with a combined weight of more than 7 metric tons. This achievement makes the rocket one of the most frequently used vehicles in China’s commercial launch sector.
This was not the first time Kinetica 1 carried satellites for foreign clients. In a previous mission, the rocket launched 15 satellites, including one designed for Oman. That event marked the first time a Chinese commercial company successfully launched a satellite for a foreign customer. It also became the first time that Oman had a satellite placed into orbit.
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The rocket is seen as highly competitive because of its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. It can arrange missions quickly and respond to urgent orders. Compared with other similar rockets available on the global market, Kinetica 1 offers accurate orbital deployment and an attractive price.
By completing this latest launch with satellites from Mexico, the mission has been described as a groundbreaking cooperation between China and Mexico. It marks a breakthrough for China’s space industry in the North American commercial market and strengthens the scientific and technological links between the two countries.
