Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on January 20, 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., embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket delivered five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers. Among the payload were the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch signifies a milestone for Galactic Energy, as it is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at their new-generation research and development production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the acquisition of vital atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The data has broad applications in meteorological observation and can support satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology has multiple applications across various fields such as environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is also advancing the development of the CERES-2 rocket, a solid carrier 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's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has already seen significant progress. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi announced at Airshow China 2024 that the Pallas-1 has completed development of most key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year.
(CGTN's Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi also contributed to this story.)
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
