Private Beijing Company Successfully Launches CERES 1 Rocket and Deploys Two Satellites

In a remarkable feat of private aerospace advancement, Beijing-based rocket company Galactic Energy launched its CERES-1 rocket on Tuesday morning, marking the 11th successful mission for the carrier. The rocket, carrying two satellites, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi Desert, precisely placing the Tianyan 16 and Starpool 1A satellites into their designated orbits.

The Tianyan 16, developed by Cultivate Space, a Beijing-based private satellite manufacturer, is a meteorological satellite equipped with passive microwave detection technology. This sophisticated spacecraft is capable of measuring atmospheric temperature and humidity across various vertical layers, providing valuable insights into precipitation, sea surface pressure, and typhoon structures. Data collected by Tianyan 16 will play a crucial role in early warning systems for typhoons, heavy rainfall events, and other extreme weather phenomena, while also contributing to climate change research.

Accompanying the Tianyan 16 is the Starpool 1A satellite, a remote-sensing satellite designed by Ellipspace, another Beijing-based private satellite company. Starpool 1A will fulfill its mission by capturing high-resolution images of designated areas on Earth, providing valuable data for various applications.

The solid-propellant Ceres-1 rocket, standing approximately 20 meters tall with a diameter of 1.4 meters, carries an impressive payload capability. With a liftoff weight of 33 metric tons, the CERES-1 can deliver a 300-kilogram satellite or multiple satellites with a combined weight of 300 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Alternatively, it can deliver payloads of up to 350 kilograms to a low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 200 kilometers.

Galactic Energy’s remarkable track record of 10 successful orbital launch missions with CERES-1 rockets stands as a testament to the company’s technological prowess and commitment to innovation. This impressive achievement places Galactic Energy far ahead of its private competitors in China, demonstrating the company’s leadership role in the country’s burgeoning space industry. With 35 commercial satellites successfully launched, Galactic Energy is undoubtedly shaping the future of Chinese spaceflight.