In an electrifying display of innovation, the Chinese mainland's CERES-1 commercial rocket soared into space on March 17 at 4:07 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Dubbed "Auld Lang Syne," the mission placed eight satellites into a 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, marking a bold step in commercial space endeavors.
The rocket carried a suite of innovative payloads, including the Yunyao-1 satellites equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System occultation detection technology. These high-tech tools are key to a groundbreaking meteorological satellite constellation led by the Tianjin-based company Yunyao Aerospace, which plans to deploy a total of 90 satellites.
This constellation is designed to build a real-time global network for atmospheric and ionospheric monitoring, providing weather forecasts updated in less than 20 minutes—especially beneficial for Belt and Road partner countries. This mission not only boosts meteorological innovation but also inspires a new generation of space enthusiasts and tech innovators. 🚀✨
Adding to the excitement, Beijing-based rocket company Galactic Energy celebrates its 17th successful launch, marking the first commercial mission of the year in the Chinese mainland. This achievement shines a light on the dynamic progress in space exploration and the promise of future advancements.
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China's CERES-1 commercial rocket sends 8 satellites into preset orbit
cgtn.com
