CERES-1 Soars: China's First Commercial Rocket Launch of 2025
Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy has marked a significant milestone by launching the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket, the first commercial rocket launch in China for 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 sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers. The payload included the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite, enhancing China's capabilities in meteorological observation, environmental monitoring, and various other applications.
Advancing Satellite Technology
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These instruments enable the acquisition of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The data collected will have broad applications in meteorological observation and can support satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite features a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology is vital for environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Galactic Energy's Growing Achievements
With the success of this launch, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed 16 missions, sending a total of 63 satellites into their designated orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base located in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
In Beijing, Galactic Energy is making strides in 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.
Additionally, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies. Galactic Energy's founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, indicated that the Pallas-1 is expected to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as revealed during Airshow China 2024.
A New Era for China's Commercial Spaceflight
The successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 marks a promising start to 2025 for China's commercial space industry. Galactic Energy's advancements in rocket technology and satellite deployment demonstrate the burgeoning capabilities of private space enterprises in the Chinese mainland. As the company continues to innovate with projects like the CERES-2 and Pallas-1 rockets, China is poised to make significant contributions to global space exploration and satellite technology.
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CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
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