CERES-1 Soars: Galactic Energy Marks China’s First Commercial Rocket Launch of 2025
In a significant milestone for China’s burgeoning commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on January 20, 2025. The launch, which took place at 6:11 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, marks the first commercial rocket launch in the country for the year.
Dubbed the “On Your Shoulders” mission, the CERES-1 Y16 rocket soared into the skies, delivering five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Among the payload were the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite, each equipped with advanced technologies poised to enhance various industries.
Advancing Meteorological and Environmental Observation
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the collection of vital atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data are crucial for improving meteorological observations and have promising applications in satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite, on the other hand, boasts a hyperspectral camera payload capable of acquiring high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology has diverse applications across environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Milestones and Future Ventures
The CERES-1 Y16 is notable as the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy’s new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. With this launch, the CERES-1 rocket series has now completed 16 successful missions, sending a total of 63 satellites into their designated orbits.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is developing the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a payload capacity of 1.6 tonnes. According to Meng Xianbo, the company’s Chief Government Affairs Officer, the CERES-2 is expected to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June.
Moreover, the company’s reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi announced at Airshow China 2024 that the Pallas-1 is slated for its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This development marks a significant step towards reusable space launch vehicles, potentially reducing the cost of access to space.
China’s Commercial Space Industry Takes Off
Galactic Energy’s successful launch signifies the rapid growth and competitive spirit of China’s commercial space sector. As companies like Galactic Energy push the boundaries of technology and innovation, China’s presence in the global space industry continues to strengthen, offering new opportunities for international collaboration and commercial ventures.
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CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
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