China Tests Its First Solid Launch Vehicle

China has successfully test-fired its first four-stage solid-fuel launch vehicle, known as Pioneer I. The launch of the Pioneer I on September 16 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center makes China the third country capable of developing such rockets, after the United States and Russia, a spokesman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) said.The Pioneer I launch vehicle is capable of putting small satellites and microsats weighing up to 100 kg into near earth orbit to meet the requirements for resource