China has taken a significant leap in its commercial space endeavors as Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, marking the nation'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. on January 20, 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 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch signifies a milestone as the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. To date, the CERES-1 series has completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the acquisition of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data is invaluable for meteorological observations and holds potential for applications in the mining industry, particularly in satellite internet constellation systems.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload, allowing it to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology is essential for a variety of fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is advancing its ambitions with the development of 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.
The company is also making strides in reusable rocket technology. The Pallas-1, Galactic Energy's reusable rocket, has completed the development of most key technologies. As shared by Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024, the Pallas-1 is anticipated to make its maiden flight in the first half of this year, signaling a new era in China's commercial spaceflight.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
