China's commercial carrier rocket Smart Dragon-3 completes ground tests

China's new carrier rocket, the Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3), which has been designed for commercial use, has completed large-scale ground tests, its developer said on Thursday.

The rocket was developed by the China Rocket Co. Ltd., which is affiliated with the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALVT). It is a four-stage solid-propellant carrier rocket.

The rocket, the largest of the SD series, can launch up to 20 satellites and is cost-effective and highly adaptable, the developer said.

The rocket has successfully passed the fairing tests and has entered its maiden flight test phase. The reliability of the design and quality of its fairing has been fully verified, according to CALVT.

(Source: Xinhua)