China has ushered in 2025 with a significant milestone in its commercial space endeavors. On January 20, at 6:11 p.m., Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. This mission, aptly named \"On Your Shoulders,\" marks the first commercial rocket launch in China for the year 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket ascended into the sky, delivering five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit 535 kilometers above Earth. The payload included the Yunyao-1 satellites 37 to 40 and the JTX A-05 satellite, each equipped with advanced technologies poised to enhance various fields ranging from meteorology to environmental monitoring.
This launch signifies the 16th successful mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has collectively sent 63 satellites into their designated orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. This new facility represents a significant step forward in China's commercial space manufacturing capabilities.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. This technology enables the acquisition of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data are invaluable for meteorological observation and hold promise for applications in satellite internet constellation systems within the mining industry and beyond.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. These images have broad applications across multiple sectors, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is making strides in expanding its rocket family. The company 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.
In addition, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has made significant progress. As learned from the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, at Airshow China 2024, the Pallas-1 has completed the development of most key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This advancement underscores China's commitment to innovation in reusable rocket technology, aligning with global trends in sustainable space exploration.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
