Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on Monday, marking the first commercial rocket launch from the Chinese mainland in 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\" The rocket successfully delivered five satellites, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 and the JTX A-05 satellites, into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers.
This launch signifies the 16th successful mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now sent a total of 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.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the collection of crucial atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data have broad applications in meteorological observation and are instrumental in advancing satellite internet constellation systems for various industries, including mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite is outfitted with a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. The data obtained can be utilized across multiple fields such as environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is making strides in rocket development with the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket boasting 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 anticipated to have its inaugural flight in the first half of this year, as learned from founder and CEO Liu Baiqi during the Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
