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The Chinese Academy of Science is partly owned by the Chinese government. CAS is a research institution owned by the government and CAS Space is a branch off of that.
Kinetica 1
Kinetica 1
As the third company with the most to orbit experiences (second in successes), CAS has a strong foothold with its expendable Kinetica 1. It is a solid fueled rocket with four stages.
The first launch was in July 27, 2022 and the latest in May 21, 2025. There was one fail in December 27th. 2024, which was resolved with the latest launch. A history of 6 successes and 1 failure is not bad.
Kinetica 2
Kinetica 2
At first glance, this may look like any other Falcon Heavy copy. But what's unique about it is that the entire first stage (three boosters) are intended to land. That is why there is only one landing leg and grid fin on each side booster and two on the middle / core.
However, the design of the boosters questions this. Each booster has three engines, arranged in a triangle. It does not have a singular engine in the middle like every other reusable rocket that would enable reusability. Perhaps CAS will change plans to make this an expendable vehicle.
The reusable version is set to launch in 2028. source 2.
Demonstrator VTVL
Demonstrator VTVL
On January 3, 2023, CAS space launched a small demonstrator for what is obviously a copy of New Shephard (the company has previously voiced their intentions for space tourism). Although it may not be directly related to Kinetica 2, any data is good data.
CAS Space has conducted many of these VTVL tests, even one on a barge. The vehicle reached a maximum height of 1km during its 10 minute flight.
Second Stage Engine Installed
Second Stage Engine Installed
On April 24, 2025, the CAS Space shared photos of the second stage for Kinetica 2.
First Stage Completed
First Stage Completed
On May 5, 2025 in the latest, CAS Space completed a single booster (this photo is likely the core) of the Kinetica 2.
Static Fire of Kinetica Booster
Static Fire of Kinetica Booster
On June 11, 2025, CAS Space conducted a static fire of its Kinetica 2 core stage / booster.
All three engines (for the single booster) were fired.
Static Fire of Kinetica 2nd Stage
Static Fire of Kinetica 2nd Stage
On June 24th, 2025, CAS Space also conducted two static fires of the Kinetica 2 second stage.
The single vacuum optimized engine was fired.
Assembly Building Complete
Assembly Building Complete
At JSLC, the assembly building for Kinetica 2 has been completed.
https://www.china-in-space.com/i/170220665/cas-space-completes-jiuquan-facility
QingZhou Cargo Ship
QingZhou Cargo Ship
The prototype of the QingZhou cargo ship will be the payload of the first Kinetica 2 launch. In the future, this vehicle will dock with the CSS and this test will verify the parameters for the first flight. Test included separation test.
https://x.com/raz_liu/status/1940614175589540025
https://www.china-in-space.com/i/174195600/kinetica-prepares-to-launch-qingzhou-spaceship
First Stage Assembled
First Stage Assembled
On October 18th, 2025, CAS Space released images of the maiden flight Kinetica 2.
Maiden Launch
Maiden Launch
On March 30th, 2026, Kinetica 2 successfully lifted off from its launch pad at JSLC.
It successfully delivered the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft, and two other rideshare satellites into sun-synchronous orbit.
https://www.china-in-space.com/p/tri-core-kinetica-2-soars-into-orbit?utm_source=publication-search
Although CAS Space has the second most successful expendable rocket experience (behind Galactic Energy's Ceres 1) its plan for an overly complex falcon heavy landing does not seem reasonable.
However, the progress on Kinetica 2 is really impressive and was especially accelerated in the month of June with the static fire of both stages. Although I doubt the reusability, I think Kinetca 2 is going to stay as a heavy / medium lift vehicle.
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