Beijing, January 20—The Chinese mainland has ushered in 2025 with a significant achievement in commercial space exploration. Galactic Energy, a Beijing-based rocket manufacturer, successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on Monday evening, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of the year.
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 6:11 p.m., embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\" The rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite.
This launch marks the 16th successful mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now sent a total of 63 satellites into predetermined orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket to be manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the collection of data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The satellites hold immense potential for meteorological observation and the development of satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology has wide-ranging applications across environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is advancing its space endeavors 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 slated for June.
The company is also making strides with its reusable rocket, the Pallas-1. Having completed the development of most key technologies, the Pallas-1 is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as confirmed by Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024.
Galactic Energy's advancements signify a growing momentum in China's commercial space sector, underscoring the nation's commitment to innovation and exploration in aerospace technology.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
