A Chinese commercial Kuaizhou-1A rocket lifts off from a TEL at Jiuquan.
Launch of the second Kuaizhou-1A from Jiuquan in September 2018. Credit: CASIC

HELSINKI — Chinese defense contractor CASIC is preparing to launch a new solid propellant launch vehicle in the first half of the year as part of a multiplatform commercial space strategy.

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Andrew Jones writes about China's space industry, including civilian programs, space science and exploration, policy, and commercial developments for SpaceNews, and writes the China Report newsletter. He has additional bylines in Scientific American,...