CERES-1 Soars: China's First Commercial Rocket Launch of 2025
Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has made history with the successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025. The rocket blasted 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 CERES-1 Y16 rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. The payload included the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite, expanding China's capabilities in meteorological observation, remote sensing, and communications.
A Leap Forward in Satellite Technology
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced systems allow for the acquisition of data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data are crucial for meteorological observations and have promising applications in sectors like satellite internet constellation systems for the mining industry.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology has broad applications across environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Galactic Energy's Ambitious Plans
The CERES-1 rocket series has now completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into orbit. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province, showcasing the company's expanding capabilities.
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.
Moreover, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has already completed the development of most key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This was confirmed by the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, during the Airshow China 2024.
Implications for the Future
Galactic Energy's achievements reflect China's growing prowess in commercial space endeavors. The successful launch of CERES-1 Y16 not only demonstrates technological advancements but also signifies the accelerating pace of China's participation in the global space industry.
As Galactic Energy and other private Chinese companies continue to innovate, the Asian space landscape is poised for significant growth, offering new opportunities for investors, researchers, and global partners interested in the dynamic developments of the region's aerospace sector.
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CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
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