In a significant milestone for China's commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20. This mission, dubbed \"On Your Shoulders,\" marks China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Among these were the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. The successful deployment of these satellites underscores the growing capabilities of China's private space enterprises and their contributions to the nation's space ambitions.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments will gather critical data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data are essential for improving meteorological observations and have promising applications in 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. This technology will support a wide range of fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
The launch of the CERES-1 Y16 is particularly noteworthy as it is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. The CERES-1 rocket series has now completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits. This achievement reflects the rapid advancement and reliability of China's commercial launch vehicles.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is actively 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 slated for June. This development is anticipated to further enhance China's commercial launch capabilities and provide more options for satellite deployment.
Additionally, the company is progressing with its reusable rocket, the Pallas-1. Having completed development of most key technologies, the Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This information was shared by the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, at Airshow China 2024. The introduction of reusable rockets is a significant step toward reducing launch costs and increasing the frequency of missions.
Galactic Energy's ongoing innovations and successful launches signify a vibrant future for China's commercial space sector, positioning the country as a formidable player in the global space industry.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
