In a significant milestone for China's burgeoning commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 rocket on Monday, marking the nation's first commercial rocket launch of 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\" The rocket delivered five satellites—Yunyao-1 37~40 and JTX A-05—into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers.
This launch signifies the continued success of the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now completed 16 launches, deploying a total of 63 satellites into their designated orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket to be manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new 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 satellites to collect crucial data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data have broad applications in meteorological observation, enhancing weather forecasting accuracy, and supporting satellite internet constellation systems in industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite, on the other hand, carries a hyperspectral camera payload capable of acquiring high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology can be applied across multiple sectors, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is making strides in advancing its rocket technology. In Beijing, the company is developing the CERES-2, a solid-fuel 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.
Additionally, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. As per insights from the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, during Airshow China 2024, the Pallas-1 is expected to undertake its inaugural flight in the first half of this year. This advancement marks a significant step towards reusable launch vehicles in China's commercial space sector.
Galactic Energy's achievements reflect China's rapid progress in commercial space endeavors, contributing to the global space industry and opening new avenues for international collaboration and technological innovation.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
