In a remarkable stride for China's space industry, Beijing-based Galactic Energy successfully launched the CERES-1 rocket on Monday, marking the first commercial rocket launch in China for 2025.
The CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 6:11 p.m. on January 20, embarking on a mission aptly named \"On Your Shoulders.\" This mission successfully delivered five satellites, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 and the JTX A-05, into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
To date, the CERES-1 rocket series has achieved 16 launches, successfully deploying 63 satellites into their designated orbits. The CERES-1 Y16 represents a significant milestone as the first rocket manufactured and assembled at Galactic Energy's new-generation research and development and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province.
The constellation of four Yunyao-1 satellites is equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads. These advanced instruments enable the acquisition of vital atmospheric data, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density. Such data has promising applications in meteorological observation and the assessment of satellite internet constellation systems for the mining industry, among other sectors.
Adding to the mission's success, the JTX A-05 satellite features a hyperspectral camera payload designed for remote sensing. This technology facilitates a wide range of applications, including environmental monitoring, industrial emissions detection, gas leakage identification, agricultural surveillance, mineral exploration, forest management, and urban planning.
Looking ahead, Galactic Energy is gearing up to launch 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, CERES-2 is slated for four launches in 2025, with its maiden flight targeted for June.
In parallel, the company is making significant progress with its reusable rocket, the Pallas-1. Most of the key technologies have been developed, and the maiden flight is expected in the first half of this year, as shared by founder and CEO Liu Baiqi during Airshow China 2024.
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
