In a significant milestone for China's aerospace industry, Beijing-based rocket maker 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 at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, carrying with it a payload of five satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
The mission, aptly named \"On Your Shoulders,\" saw the deployment of the Yunyao-1 37 to 40 satellites alongside the JTX A-05 satellite. This launch not only underscores China's growing capabilities in commercial space endeavors but also highlights Galactic Energy's rapid advancements in rocket technology.
The CERES-1 rocket series has now completed 16 successful launches, delivering a total of 63 satellites into orbit. 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 signifies a new era of innovation and efficiency in China's commercial space industry.
The quartet of Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the collection of critical atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such capabilities have broad applications in meteorological observation and hold promise for satellite internet constellation systems within industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite, carrying a hyperspectral camera payload, is set to enhance remote sensing capabilities. Its advanced imaging technology can be applied across various sectors, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is 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 slated for its maiden flight in June, with plans for four launches throughout 2025.
In addition, the company's reusable rocket, the Pallas-1, has reached significant technological milestones. As per Liu Baiqi, Galactic Energy's founder and CEO, the Pallas-1 is expected to embark on its inaugural flight in the first half of this year. This development was shared during the Airshow China 2024 event, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable and reusable space technology.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
