Kuaizhou 1A rocket sends two experimental satellites into orbit

China launched a Kuaizhou 1A carrier rocket on Friday afternoon from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, sending two experimental satellites into space.

The solid-propellant rocket blasted off at 5 pm from its mobile launch platform and placed the satellites into their preset orbit, according to China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, a State-owned space contractor that makes the Kuaizhou series.

The satellites are mainly tasked with demonstrating communications technologies and obtaining data for maritime traffic management.

The mission marked the 30th flight of the Kuaizhou 1A model as well as China's 79th space launch this year.

Developed by China Space Sanjiang Group, a CASIC subsidiary in Hubei province, the 20-meter Kuaizhou 1A is the country's most used solid-propellant rocket model. The type has a liftoff weight of about 30 metric tons, and is capable of sending 200 kilograms of payload into a sun-synchronous orbit, or 300 kg of payload into a low-Earth orbit.