China advanced its space capabilities Friday evening with the successful launch of a CERES-1 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The mission, conducted at 7:39 p.m. Beijing Time, delivered three satellites – Kaiyun-1, Yuxing-3 08, and Yunyao-1 27 – into their designated orbits.
The launch marks another milestone in China's expanding commercial space sector, which has seen 14 CERES-1 missions to date. Developed by private aerospace firm Galactic Energy, the solid-fuel rocket has demonstrated growing reliability in deploying Earth observation and meteorological satellites.
Analysts note the deployed satellites will likely enhance weather monitoring capabilities and support applications ranging from agricultural planning to disaster response. The mission's success comes as Asian nations increasingly invest in space technology to address climate challenges and boost technological competitiveness.
With over 60 commercial launches planned across China in 2025, the sector continues attracting significant interest from global investors and technology partners. The Jiuquan facility, China's first satellite launch center, remains a key hub for both government and commercial space ventures.
