航天科工火箭技术有限公司
ExPace, also known as CASIC Rocket Technology Company, is a Chinese state-owned commercial launch provider and a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). Founded in 2016, ExPace focuses on providing cost-effective launch services for small satellites to low Earth orbit, primarily using its Kuaizhou (KZ) series of solid-fueled rockets. The company is developing reusable methane-liquid oxygen rockets and aims to compete with other commercial space companies by offering rapid and responsive launch capabilities.
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The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) is preparing to launch the first satellite for a very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) constellation.
CASIC’s launcher operator arm Expace plans a total of 8 to 10 launches of Kuaizhou-1A and Kuaizhou-11 rockets in 2023.
Expace, Landspace, iSpace, Galactic Energy, Space Pioneer, Deep Blue Aerospace, Orienspace, and Rocket Pi are all seeking to reach orbit 2023 or next.
Expace operates Kuaizhou solid rockets for state-owned CASIC and planned seven launches of Kuaizhou-1A and Kuaizhou-11 rockets in 2023.
CASC’s sister state-owned defense contractor CASIC and its subsidiary Expace are planning numerous launches of the solid Kuaizhou-1A and larger Kuaizhou-11 rockets in 2023.
Expace raised $237,000,000 in June 2022 and is developing a series of larger solid rockets.
A Kuaizhou-1A solid rocket operated by Expace lifted off from Taiyuan at 6:55 p.m. Eastern on 2022-09-24, carrying the Shiyan-14 and Shiyan-15 satellites.
Kuaizhou solid rockets were planned to launch an 80-satellite narrowband constellation named Xingyun for CASIC and its subsidiaries.
Expace raised $237,000,000 in a B round funding in June backed by seven undisclosed investors, surpassing Galactic Energy's funding round.
CASIC has established infrastructure at Jiuquan for launches of Kuaizhou-1A and larger Kuaizhou-11 rockets using transport erector launchers.
Expace is part of CASIC’s plans to develop commercial projects including launch services, constellations, and a reusable spaceplane separate from a CASC-led initiative.
Expace previously raised $180,000,000 in an A round in 2017.
Expace’s activities are centered at the CASIC-led 68.8-square-kilometer Wuhan National Aerospace Industrial Base.
Expace’s $237,000,000 B round exceeds the $200,000,000 raised by Galactic Energy earlier in the same year.
LEOBIT Technology, based in the Wuhan cluster and owned by CASIC, will operate the Xingyun constellation.
Expace has launched 23 satellites into orbit on 13 successful Kuaizhou-1A flights since 2017.
CASIC, a state-owned defense contractor separate from CASC, is developing a series of solid rockets for orbital launches and has established infrastructure at Jiuquan for launches of Kuaizhou-1A and Kuaizhou-11 using transport erector launchers rather than a launch pad and service structure.
Kuaizhou-1A and Kuaizhou-11 rockets developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and its affiliates remain grounded after failures in 2021 and 2020 respectively.
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) completed a factory in Wuhan last year that will eventually be capable of manufacturing 240 small satellites per year.
Tiankun-1 was launched by CASIC’s Kaituozhe-2 rocket in 2017 to test the performance of a small satellite bus.