China’s CAS Space Reports First Launch Failure of Lijian-1 Rocket

CAS Space, a leading Chinese commercial rocket company, experienced its first launch failure on December 27, 2024, when its Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket malfunctioned shortly after takeoff.

The rocket, which had previously completed five successful flights since its debut in 2022, encountered a problem during its third-stage flight. Approximately three seconds after engine ignition, an instability in its attitude triggered the onboard autonomous safety control system, resulting in the rocket’s self-destruction.

Before this incident, CAS Space had successfully launched 57 satellites over five Lijian-1 missions. In November 2024, the company achieved a milestone by delivering 15 satellites into orbit, including a remote-sensing satellite for Oman, marking its first international client.

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The Lijian-1 rocket, also known as Kinetica 1, is a four-stage solid-fuel orbital launch vehicle developed by CAS Space. Standing at 30 meters tall, with a diameter of 2.65 meters and a weight of 135 metric tons, the rocket is capable of carrying 1,500 kilograms to a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) or 2,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO).

This failure is a rare setback for China’s rapidly expanding commercial space sector, which has been experiencing significant growth and increasing competition for both domestic and international clients. Despite this issue, CAS Space plans to continue developing its next launch vehicle, Lijian-2, with a launch scheduled for 2025.

Under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government has actively promoted the expansion of strategic industries, including the commercial space sector, recognising it as essential for developing satellite constellations for communications, remote sensing, and navigation.