In a significant milestone for China's commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on Monday, marking the nation'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 rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch signifies a significant achievement for Galactic Energy, as it brings the total number of satellites sent into pre-set orbit by the CERES-1 series to 63, across 16 successful launches.
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. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to enhance the company's production capabilities and accelerate advancements in China's commercial space endeavors.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the satellites to gather critical data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The collected data holds immense potential for meteorological observation and has broad applications in satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite, equipped with a hyperspectral camera payload, will acquire high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology is vital for various sectors, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, Galactic Energy continues to push the boundaries of space technology. In Beijing, the company 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 slated to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June.
Additionally, Galactic Energy's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. The company's founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, revealed 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 signifies a major step forward in reducing costs and increasing the sustainability of space launches.
Galactic Energy's ambitious projects reflect China's rapid advancement in the commercial space sector, positioning the nation as a formidable player in space exploration and satellite technology. The successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 not only underscores the company's technological prowess but also heralds a new era of innovation and collaboration in space endeavors.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
