🚀 Hold onto your hats, space enthusiasts! China has just fired up 2025 with a stellar start, launching its first commercial rocket of the year. On January 20, the CERES-1 Y16 carrier rocket roared into the evening sky from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, marking a new milestone for Beijing-based Galactic Energy.
Dubbed the \"On Your Shoulders\" mission, the CERES-1 Y16 didn't just carry any payload—it delivered five satellites, including the Yunyao-1 37~40 and the JTX A-05, into a sun-synchronous orbit 535 kilometers above Earth. This isn't just rocket science; it's a giant leap for satellite tech!
The CERES-1 series is on a roll! With 16 launches under its belt, it's already sent 63 satellites into orbit. But what's extra cool about this launch? The Y16 is the first rocket built in Galactic Energy's shiny new R&D and production base in Ziyang, Sichuan Province. Talk about starting the year with a bang! 🎇
So, what's the big deal about these satellites? The four Yunyao-1 units are packed with GNSS occultation detection gear. In non-geek speak, that means they can collect vital data on atmospheric conditions like temperature, humidity, and even ionospheric electron density. This tech has huge potential for weather forecasting and could shake up industries from mining to satellite internet constellations.
And let's not forget the JTX A-05 satellite! Equipped with a hyperspectral camera, it's set to snap some seriously detailed images. Think environmental monitoring, spotting industrial emissions, detecting gas leaks, keeping an eye on crops, exploring minerals, managing forests, and even urban planning. This little satellite is ready to make a big impact! 🌍📸
But wait, there's more! Back in Beijing, Galactic Energy is hard at work on the CERES-2, a solid carrier rocket with a hefty payload capability of 1.6 tonnes. According to Meng Xianbo, the company's Chief Government Affairs Officer, we can expect four CERES-2 launches in 2025, with the maiden flight lifting off in June. Exciting times ahead! 🚀
And if reusable rockets are your jam, you'll love this. The company's Pallas-1 reusable rocket has wrapped up development on most key technologies and is gearing up for its first flight in the first half of this year. Founder and CEO Liu Baiqi spilled the details at Airshow China 2024. Reusable rockets? That's some next-level space stuff! ♻️🚀
Reference(s):
CERES-1 Soars: China's first commercial rocket launch of 2025
cgtn.com
