In a significant advancement for commercial space operations, Chinese aerospace company CAS Space successfully launched its 11th Kinetica 1 carrier rocket on December 10, 2025. The mission, originating from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s northwestern Gobi Desert at precisely 12:03 pm local time, marked another milestone in China’s growing commercial space sector.
The launch vehicle delivered a diverse portfolio of nine satellites into predetermined orbit, demonstrating China’s expanding role in international space collaboration. The payload included six multifunctional satellites for Chinese operations alongside three significant international contributions: an Earth-observation satellite for the United Arab Emirates, a scientific research satellite for Egypt, and an educational satellite for Nepal.
Notably, the UAE’s satellite, designated ‘813’, was developed through international cooperation between the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites (a Shanghai-based subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Sciences) and the National Space Science and Technology Center at the United Arab Emirates University. This collaboration highlights the increasing globalization of space technology development and deployment.
The successful mission reinforces CAS Space’s position as a leading commercial rocket manufacturer in China’s rapidly expanding private space industry. The Kinetica 1 rocket series has now demonstrated consistent reliability with eleven launches, contributing to the growing infrastructure of satellite networks supporting various applications from Earth observation to scientific research and educational initiatives.
This launch represents continuing progress in commercial space capabilities and international partnerships in space technology, showcasing how nations are increasingly collaborating on space exploration and satellite deployment beyond traditional governmental space programs.