Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 rocket, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025.
The rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, on a mission dubbed \"On Your Shoulders.\" It delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
The satellites include Yunyao-1 37~40 and JTX A-05. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling data acquisition of atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload to acquire remote sensing images. These can be applied in environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, sending 63 satellites into their pre-set orbits. The CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled in the company's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
Meanwhile in Beijing, Galactic Energy is developing the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a payload capability 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.
The company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has already completed the development of most key technologies and is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as learned from founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at the Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
