Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully launched its 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 satellites 37 to 40 and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch signifies a significant milestone as it is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at the company's new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into predetermined orbits. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling the acquisition of atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density data. These satellites have broad applications in meteorological observation and satellite internet constellation systems verification for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture remote sensing images. Its data 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, in Beijing, Galactic Energy is 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 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 information was shared by the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, at the Airshow China 2024.
Contributions to this story were made by CGTN's Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
