In a significant milestone for China's commercial space industry, Beijing-based rocket manufacturer Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket on Monday, marking the nation's first commercial rocket launch of 2025. The rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\"
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket delivered five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Among these were the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. The successful deployment of these satellites underscores China's growing capabilities in commercial space ventures and highlights Galactic Energy's rapid development in the aerospace sector.
The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. This advanced technology enables the acquisition of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data play a crucial role in enhancing meteorological observations and could facilitate the development of satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite carries a hyperspectral camera payload designed to capture high-resolution remote sensing images. These images have diverse applications across multiple sectors, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning. The satellite's capabilities are expected to contribute significantly to data-driven decision-making in these fields.
The CERES-1 rocket series has now completed 16 launches, successfully sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits. Notably, the CERES-1 Y16 is the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. This facility represents the company's commitment to expanding its manufacturing capabilities and supporting China's burgeoning commercial space industry.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is making strides in the development of its next-generation launch vehicles. The company is working on the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a payload capacity of 1.6 tonnes. According to Meng Xianbo, Galactic Energy's Chief Government Affairs Officer, the CERES-2 is expected to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight slated for June.
In addition, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has achieved significant progress, having completed the development of most key technologies. As revealed by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at the Airshow China 2024, the Pallas-1 is anticipated to make its maiden flight in the first half of this year. This development marks a crucial step towards cost-effective and sustainable access to space.
Galactic Energy's advancements reflect the dynamic growth of China's commercial aerospace sector. The successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 and the upcoming projects underscore the nation's commitment to expanding its presence in space exploration and satellite deployment, with broad implications for industries and technologies worldwide.
(CGTN's Zhao Chenchen and Zhang Haoyudi contributed to this story.)
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
