Galactic Energy, a Beijing-based rocket maker, has successfully launched its 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, carrying five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers.
The mission, dubbed \"On Your Shoulders,\" successfully deployed the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch signifies the 16th successful mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has so far delivered 63 satellites into their designated orbits.
The CERES-1 Y16 is notable as the first rocket to be manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new research and development base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. The rocket's payload includes the four Yunyao-1 satellites, equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These technologies enable the satellites to gather critical data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density, with applications in meteorological observation and satellite internet constellation systems, particularly for the mining industry.
The JTX A-05 satellite, also aboard the CERES-1 Y16, is equipped with a hyperspectral camera capable of capturing high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology holds potential for various sectors, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy is advancing 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 planned for June. Additionally, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as learned from the founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, at Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
