CERES-1 Y16 Launches, Marking China’s First Commercial Rocket of 2025

In a landmark achievement for China's aerospace industry, Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy successfully launched its CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on January 20, 2025. The launch, which took place at 6:11 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, marks the nation's first commercial rocket launch of the year.

The mission, aptly named \"On Your Shoulders,\" delivered five satellites—Yunyao-1 37 to 40 and the JTX A-05—into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers. This launch brings the total number of satellites sent into orbit by the CERES-1 rocket series to 63 across 16 successful missions.

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 in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant advancement in the company's capabilities, enabling more efficient production and innovation in rocket 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 data on atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. The data collected has far-reaching applications in meteorological observation and offers promising prospects for satellite internet constellation systems in industries such as mining.

The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. The versatility of this technology extends to various fields including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.

While celebrating this milestone, Galactic Energy is already looking ahead. According to Meng Xianbo, the company's Chief Government Affairs Officer, development is underway for the CERES-2—a solid carrier rocket with a payload capacity of 1.6 tonnes. The CERES-2 is slated to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June.

Furthermore, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has made significant progress. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi revealed at Airshow China 2024 that key technology developments have been completed, setting the stage for its inaugural flight in the first half of this year.