Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 rocket, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025. The mission, dubbed \"On Your Shoulders\", took place at 6:11 p.m. on January 20 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Among them were the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite, expanding China's capabilities in meteorological observation and remote sensing.
The Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the acquisition of atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data have broad applications in weather forecasting and can support satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to acquire high-resolution remote sensing images. These images are crucial for environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
This launch is particularly significant as the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. Since its debut, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy 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 expected to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June.
Furthermore, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has made significant progress. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi stated that most key technologies have been developed, and the Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
