China's commercial space sector reached a new milestone Monday as Galactic Energy launched four satellites from a sea-based platform off Shandong Province, completing the first phase of its Tianqi low Earth orbit IoT constellation. The CERES-1S Y5 rocket blasted off at 3:38 p.m. Beijing Time, marking the 19th successful mission for the private aerospace firm.
Connecting Industries Worldwide
The newly deployed satellites finalize the 37-satellite Tianqi network, designed to provide affordable consumer-grade IoT services across 20+ sectors including agriculture, emergency response, and smart city development. With global coverage and low power requirements, the system already supports ecological monitoring in remote areas and real-time data for offshore energy operations.
Next-Gen Consumer Applications
Galactic Energy confirms expansion into direct-to-satellite technology for consumer devices, potentially enabling IoT connectivity for automobiles and wearables without ground infrastructure. This development positions China's private space industry to compete in the global satellite services market valued at $13.7 billion in 2024.
Technical Edge in Commercial Space
The 33-ton CERES-1 rocket series demonstrates China's growing commercial space capabilities, with the sea-launch variant completing five missions since its 2023 debut. Galactic Energy remains the only Chinese private firm conducting both land and sea launches, having deployed 81 satellites to date.
