Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, marking China'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, delivering five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
The mission, dubbed \"On Your Shoulders,\" carried the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling them to gather data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. These capabilities have broad applications in meteorological observation and satellite internet constellation systems, particularly in the mining industry.
The JTX A-05 satellite is equipped with a hyperspectral camera payload designed to acquire remote sensing images. This technology can be applied in environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
This launch marks the 16th successful mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now delivered 63 satellites into their designated orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is 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.
In addition, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. Liu Baiqi, the founder and CEO of Galactic Energy, announced that the Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year during the Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
