Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy has successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025. The launch took place at 6:11 p.m. on January 20 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Dubbed \"On Your Shoulders,\" the mission successfully delivered five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers.
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket carried the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. The Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling the acquisition of atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. These satellites have broad applications in meteorological observation and hold potential for satellite internet constellation systems in sectors like the mining industry.
The JTX A-05 satellite is fitted with a hyperspectral camera payload capable of capturing 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.
This launch brings the total number of satellites sent into orbit by the CERES-1 rocket series to 63, spread across 16 successful launches. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
Looking ahead, 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.
In addition, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. Galactic Energy's founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, revealed at the Airshow China 2024 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
