Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on January 20, ushering in 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., embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch signifies the continued growth of China's commercial space industry, with the CERES-1 rocket series having completed 16 launches and deploying a total of 63 satellites to date.
Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket to be manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. This advancement underscores the company's commitment to innovation and expansion within China's burgeoning space sector.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the collection of vital atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data has broad applications in meteorological observation and can support the development of satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
Meanwhile, the JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to acquire high-resolution remote sensing images. The satellite's capabilities have diverse applications across environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
In addition to the CERES-1 accomplishments, Galactic Energy is also progressing with the development of 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.
Furthermore, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi revealed at the Airshow China 2024 that Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, marking another significant step in China's commercial space endeavors.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
