Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy has achieved a significant milestone by launching the CERES-1 Y16 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, embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 successfully delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Among these were the Yunyao-1 satellites numbered 37 to 40 and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch brings the total number of satellites deployed by the CERES-1 series to 63 across 16 missions.
Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new research and development facility in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. This advancement underscores the company's expanding capabilities within China's burgeoning private space industry.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the collection of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The data have broad applications in meteorological observation and support satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. These images will be instrumental in various fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
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. Additionally, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of key technologies and is anticipated to have its inaugural flight in the first half of this year, as reported by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024.
