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Ceres-1 Rocket Launches 8 Chinese Commercial Satellites
By Andrew Jones
Date: March 17, 2025
A Ceres-1 solid rocket lifts off from Jiuquan spaceport carrying eight satellites, March 17, 2025. Credit: Galactic Energy
Chinese commercial launch company Galactic Energy successfully launched eight satellites into orbit early Monday using its light-lift Ceres-1 rocket. This launch is a crucial part of China's expanding role in global space endeavors, especially concerning commercial satellite operations.
Launch Details
The Ceres-1 solid rocket took off at 4:07 a.m. Eastern Time (0807 UTC) from a transport erector launcher at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in northwest China. Within an hour of the launch, Galactic Energy reported the mission was successful, confirming that all eight satellites had been placed into their precise orbits.
Payload Overview
The payload consisted of:
- Six Yunyao-1 (55-60) satellites, equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation payloads for obtaining atmospheric data.
- Two AIRSAT 06 and AIRSAT 07 satellites, designed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS) and equipped with multispectral imaging capabilities.
The primary mission of the Yunyao-1 satellites is to gather meteorological data such as atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, and ionospheric electron density, significantly enhancing global weather forecasting capabilities.
The AIRSAT satellites aim to advance Earth observation technologies, utilizing both synthetic aperture radar and optical payloads.
Mission Codename: Auld Lang Syne
This successful launch, designated Auld Lang Syne, marks Galactic Energy’s 18th Ceres-1 launch and underscores the company’s progress in the commercial launch sector.
Recent Developments and Future Plans
Having only faced one failure in its history, during its tenth launch attempt in September 2023, Galactic Energy aims to continue improving its successes. The company has announced plans to debut its new Ceres-2 rocket in the first half of 2025, an upgraded version designed to lift heavier payloads.
| Rocket | Payload Capacity (LEO) | Payload Capacity (SSO) |
|---|---|---|
| Ceres-1 | 400 kg | 300 kg |
| Ceres-2 (Projected) | 1,600 kg | 1,300 kg |
The Pallas-1 rocket is also in development, intended to utilize kerosene and liquid oxygen, with an impressive payload capacity that could surpass that of its predecessors.
China's Expanding Space Activities
In 2025, China plans to increase its space launch frequency significantly, potentially targeting 100 or more launches throughout the year. This projection is fueled by the nation’s ongoing development of megaconstellations, expansion of commercial launch capabilities, and the expected unveiling of several new rocket designs.
Conclusion
The recent launch of the Ceres-1 rocket epitomizes the strides taken by Chinese companies like Galactic Energy in establishing a robust presence within the global commercial launch market.
For more information
- Galactic Energy Launch Failure
- China's Upcoming Launches
- CSF Recent Associates
- Frontgrade's Recent Achievements
- Official Launch Article
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