CERES-1 Y16 Soars: Galactic Energy Launches China’s First Commercial Rocket of 2025

In a significant milestone for China's aerospace industry, Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on January 20, marking the nation's first commercial rocket launch of 2025.

The CERES-1 Y16 lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\" The 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 the 16th successful mission of the CERES-1 rocket series, which has now deployed 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 in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.

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 satellites hold broad application prospects in meteorological observation and the development of satellite internet constellation systems for industries such as mining.

The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. This technology can be applied across multiple fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.

While the CERES-1 continues to make strides, Galactic Energy is also advancing the development of 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 targeted for June.

Additionally, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has completed the development of most key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This progress was highlighted by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi during the Airshow China 2024 event in Beijing.

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