Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025. The rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, on a mission dubbed \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 carried five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. The satellites include the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 and the JTX A-05 satellites. This launch signifies a significant milestone as it is the first rocket manufactured and assembled in Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
So far, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, sending a total of 63 satellites into their pre-set orbits. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling data acquisition of atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. These satellites have broad applications in meteorological observation and the verification of satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite is equipped with a hyperspectral camera payload designed to acquire remote sensing images. This technology can be applied in multiple fields including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Galactic Energy is developing 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 already completed the development of most key technologies and is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This was learned from the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, at the Airshow China 2024.
(Contributors to this story include CGTN's Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi.)
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
