Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy has marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, heralding 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. on January 20, embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 carried and successfully deployed five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit approximately 535 kilometers above Earth. The satellites include the Yunyao-1 37~40 series and the JTX A-05 satellite, contributing to various sectors from meteorological observation to environmental monitoring.
This launch marks the 16th mission for the CERES-1 rocket series, which has cumulatively sent 63 satellites into their designated orbits since its inception. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket to be manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base located in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. This advancement signifies a leap forward in China's commercial space capabilities, fostering growth in satellite deployment and space exploration.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the acquisition of critical data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The data collected have broad applications, including improving meteorological observations and enhancing satellite internet constellation systems for various industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite is outfitted with a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. The applications of this technology are vast, spanning environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning. The deployment of these satellites is poised to bolster data collection and analysis across multiple sectors, contributing to technological advancement and sustainability efforts.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Galactic Energy is accelerating the development of the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket boasting a payload capability of 1.6 tonnes. Meng Xianbo, the company's Chief Government Affairs Officer, revealed that the CERES-2 is expected to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June. This progression underscores the company's commitment to expanding China's commercial launch capabilities and meeting the increasing demand for satellite deployment.
Furthermore, Galactic Energy's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has achieved significant milestones, having completed the development of most key technologies. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi shared with CGTN at Airshow China 2024 that the Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year. The introduction of reusable rocket technology represents a pivotal step toward reducing launch costs and promoting sustainable space exploration.
Contributors: Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi (CGTN).
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
