China marked another milestone in its commercial space sector early Friday as the CERES-1 Y7 rocket lifted off from the Yellow Sea near Shandong province at 4:10 a.m. local time. The launch, conducted by the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, delivered a cluster of satellites for the Tianqi constellation into their planned orbit.
The offshore mission underscores the growing capabilities of the Chinese mainland's commercial space enterprises, which have accelerated satellite deployment timelines for global IoT and communication networks. This marks the seventh successful flight of the CERES-1 series, a solid-fueled rocket developed by private aerospace firm Galactic Energy.
Analysts note the increasing frequency of sea-based launches – now accounting for 30% of China's commercial missions this year – reduces risks for populated coastal areas while optimizing orbital trajectories. The Tianqi constellation, designed to provide real-time data transmission services across Asia, is expected to reach 38 operational satellites by late 2026.
