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 lifted 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 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 signifies a milestone as the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled in the company's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits. The series continues to demonstrate China's growing capabilities in commercial space exploration and satellite deployment.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the acquisition of data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The satellites have broad applications in meteorological observation and can support verification scenarios for satellite internet constellation systems in industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture remote sensing images. This technology can be applied across multiple fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is advancing its development of the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a payload capability of 1.6 tonnes. According to the company's Chief Government Affairs Officer, Meng Xianbo, 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 also made significant progress, having completed the development of most key technologies. Galactic Energy's founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, indicated that 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
