Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 rocket on Monday, marking China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025.
At 6:11 p.m. on January 20, the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on a mission dubbed \"On Your Shoulders.\" It delivered five satellites, including the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 and the JTX A-05 satellites, into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 launches, sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits. The CERES-1 Y16 is notably the first rocket manufactured and assembled at the company's new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These enable data acquisition of atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The satellites have broad applications in meteorological observation and the development of satellite internet constellation systems for the mining industry and other sectors.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload to acquire remote sensing images. These images can be applied in multiple fields such as environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Galactic Energy is developing the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a payload capability 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 completed the development of most key technologies and is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
