Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of its CERES-1 Y16 rocket, heralding 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, under the mission name \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket carried five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 and the JTX A-05 satellites. This achievement brings the total number of satellites sent into orbit by the CERES-1 rocket series to 63 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. This advancement underscores China's growing capabilities in commercial space exploration and satellite deployment.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the acquisition of vital atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data have broad applications in meteorological observation and can support the development of satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite is fitted with a hyperspectral camera payload capable of acquiring high-resolution remote sensing images. The satellite's data will be valuable across multiple fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is progressing with the development of 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 is also working on the Pallas-1, a reusable rocket that has completed the development of most key technologies. As per information from the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, at the Airshow China 2024, 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
