Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy has successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, marking the Chinese mainland’s first commercial rocket launch of 2025.
On January 20 at 6:11 p.m., the CERES-1 Y16 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on a mission dubbed “On Your Shoulders.” The rocket delivered five satellites, including Yunyao-1 37~40 and JTX A-05, into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
This launch marks the 16th mission of the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now successfully sent 63 satellites into their designated orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy’s new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These enable the satellites to collect vital atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data have significant applications in meteorological observation and in developing satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture remote sensing images. This technology can be applied across various fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Galactic Energy is also 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.
Additionally, the company’s reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies and is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as stated by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
