Chinese rocket launches Mexican satellites in historic mission
Photo: CAS Space.
China’s commercial aerospace company CAS Space successfully carried out the eighth mission of its solid-fuel Kinetica-1 rocket (also known as Lijian-1) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. The launch placed seven satellites into orbit, including the first-ever satellites built in Mexico to fly aboard a Chinese commercial rocket: ThumbSat-1 and ThumbSat-2, each weighing less than 100 grams.
ThumbSat-1 carries a “selfie payload” designed to capture its own reflection in space using a mirror, while ThumbSat-2includes an artistic payload blending science and creativity, showcasing the cultural dimension of the mission.
The satellites were developed by the Mexican company ThumbSat in collaboration with CAS Space, which also engineered a special satellite deployer for the mission. As part of the cooperation, CAS Space announced it will install free ground receiving stations in Mexico, allowing students and enthusiasts to track the satellites in real time, promoting science education and citizen engagement in space exploration.
This launch represents a historic milestone: the first time Mexican-built satellites have reached orbit aboard a Chinese commercial rocket. With this mission, CAS Space has now deployed more than 70 satellites with a total payload exceeding 7 metric tons, reinforcing its position as a leader in China’s commercial launch sector.
According to project manager Hu Xiaowei, the Kinetica-1 rocket is designed to deploy small and medium satellites into sun-synchronous orbits with high precision and competitive pricing. The mission not only strengthens China’s role in the global commercial space industry but also opens a new chapter in scientific and technological cooperation between China and Mexico.
* Original text in Spanish. Translated by Large Language Model (LLM) technology.
Main Source:
Cohete chino lleva satélites mexicanos al espacio en misión histórica – Emprendedor
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