In a monumental step for China's commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on January 20, 2025. Blasting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m., the mission, aptly named \"On Your Shoulders,\" marks the nation's first commercial rocket launch of the year.
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 brings the total number of satellites delivered by the CERES-1 series to 63 across 16 successful missions.
Advancements in Satellite Technology
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments allow for the acquisition of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data are invaluable for meteorological observations and have promising applications in industries like mining, particularly in developing satellite internet constellation systems.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. The data collected will support a wide range of fields such as environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
New Production Milestones
The CERES-1 Y16 is notably 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 signifies the company's commitment to advancing China's commercial space capabilities and supporting the growing demand for satellite deployment.
Looking Ahead: CERES-2 and Pallas-1
In Beijing, Galactic Energy 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 expected to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight scheduled for June.
Additionally, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of key technologies. Galactic Energy's founder and CEO, Liu Baiqi, revealed during Airshow China 2024 that the Pallas-1 is slated for its inaugural flight in the first half of this year. The introduction of reusable rocket technology represents a significant stride toward more sustainable and cost-effective space exploration.
Galactic Energy's ongoing achievements reflect China's rapid advancement in the commercial space sector, positioning the nation as a formidable player in global space exploration and satellite technology.
Reporting by CGTN's Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
