China has ushered in a new era of commercial space exploration in 2025 with the successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 rocket by Beijing-based rocket maker Galactic Energy.
On January 20, at 6:11 p.m., the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket soared into the sky from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\" The rocket delivered five satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers, marking the first commercial rocket launch in China for 2025.
The payload included the Yunyao-1 37~40 satellites and the JTX A-05 satellite. The four Yunyao-1 satellites are equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, enabling them to gather critical atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. These satellites hold significant potential for applications in meteorological observation and satellite internet constellation systems for industries like mining.
The JTX A-05 satellite is outfitted with a hyperspectral camera, capable of acquiring remote sensing images. Its applications span a wide range of fields, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
The CERES-1 Y16 rocket is a milestone for Galactic Energy, being the first rocket manufactured and assembled at the company's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. With this launch, the CERES-1 rocket series has completed a total of 16 missions, successfully sending 63 satellites into their designated orbits.
Meanwhile, 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 expected to conduct four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June.
In addition, the company is making strides in reusable rocket technology. The Pallas-1, Galactic Energy's reusable rocket, has completed the development of most key technologies and is anticipated to have its maiden flight in the first half of this year, as learned from founder and CEO Liu Baiqi at Airshow China 2024.
Galactic Energy's continuous advancements reflect China's growing capabilities and ambitions in the commercial space sector. The successful launch of the CERES-1 Y16 rocket not only marks a significant milestone for the company but also sets the stage for future innovations in China's space endeavors.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
