Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy achieved a milestone on Monday with the successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 rocket, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20. The mission, dubbed \"On Your Shoulders,\" delivered five satellites—including the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite—into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, sending 63 satellites into preset orbits. The CERES-1 Y16 is notably the first rocket manufactured and assembled at the company'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, enabling the collection of atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density data. These satellites have broad applications in meteorological observation and the demonstration of satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload to acquire remote sensing images. Its applications span multiple fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is advancing the development of 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 completed the development of most key technologies and is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as shared by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
