Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has marked a historic milestone by launching the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on Monday, heralding China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025. The rocket 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 CERES-1 Y16 successfully delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. These satellites include the Yunyao-1 37~40 and the JTX A-05, each equipped with advanced technology set to enhance various sectors.
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 such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. These satellites hold significant promise for meteorological observation, satellite internet constellation verification for the mining industry, and more.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. Its applications span environmental monitoring, detection of industrial emissions, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
With this launch, the CERES-1 rocket series has now completed 16 missions, sending 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.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is making significant strides in rocket development. In Beijing, 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 scheduled 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. Galactic Energy's founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, revealed at the Airshow China 2024 that the Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year.
This series of launches and developments underscores China's rapidly advancing commercial space industry, positioning Galactic Energy as a key player in Asia's burgeoning aerospace sector.
(CGTN's Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi also contributed to this story.)
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
