Beijing, January 20, 2025 — In a significant leap for China's commercial space industry, Galactic Energy successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 6:11 p.m. on Monday. The mission, aptly named \"On Your Shoulders,\" marks the first commercial rocket launch in China for the year 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket soared into the evening sky, delivering five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Among the payload were the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite, each poised to contribute to advancements in meteorology, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications.
CERES-1 Y16: A Milestone in Commercial Spaceflight
This launch represents the 16th successful mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now placed 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 research and development facility in Ziyang, Sichuan Province, highlighting the company's expanding capabilities.
Advancing Satellite Technology for a Better World
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments are designed to collect critical data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. This information is vital for improving meteorological observations and enhancing satellite internet constellation systems, with potential applications in the mining industry and beyond.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload, enabling it to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology will support a wide range of sectors, including environmental monitoring, detection of industrial emissions and gas leaks, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Galactic Energy
Galactic Energy is not slowing down. In Beijing, the company is developing the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with an impressive payload capacity of 1.6 tonnes. According to Meng Xianbo, the company's Chief Government Affairs Officer, the CERES-2 is slated for its maiden flight in June 2025, with plans for a total of four launches that year.
Furthermore, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has made significant progress, having completed development of most key technologies. As shared by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024, the Pallas-1 is expected to embark on its inaugural flight in the first half of this year, signaling a new era of reusable launch vehicles in China's commercial space sector.
The successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 and the ambitious plans for CERES-2 and Pallas-1 underscore China's growing presence and innovation in space technology, offering exciting prospects for global collaboration and scientific advancement.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
