In a landmark event for China's burgeoning commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on Monday, marking the nation'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, embarking on a mission aptly named \"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 not only underscores China's rapidly advancing space technology but also signifies a milestone for Galactic Energy, as the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at the company's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
Since its debut, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into their pre-set orbits. The latest mission continues this streak, expanding capabilities for various applications. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling the collection of crucial atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. These satellites hold significant promise for meteorological observation and can aid in developing satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite, also part of the payload, is fitted with a hyperspectral camera designed to acquire high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology has wide-ranging applications, including environmental monitoring, detection of industrial emissions, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
As Galactic Energy propels forward, the company is also developing the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a payload capability 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 reusable rocket Pallas-1 has completed the development of most key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as shared by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi during Airshow China 2024.
This series of advancements not only highlights Galactic Energy's commitment to innovation but also illustrates China's growing influence in the global commercial space sector. With the continued development of rockets like the CERES-1, CERES-2, and Pallas-1, China is poised to make significant contributions to space exploration and satellite deployment in the years ahead.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
