Tag: Ceres 1
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China Launches First Wuyang Satellite for Low-Latitude Earth Observation
China launched Xiguang-4 01, also known as Wuyang Constellation Pathfinder A, on October 21, beginning in-orbit validation of a remote-sensing network designed to provide more frequent observations of low- and middle-latitude regions. The satellite lifted off at 11:39 a.m. Beijing time aboard Galactic Energy’s Ceres-1S Y8 rocket from the Dongfang Hangtiangang launch vessel in waters…
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China’s Ceres-1S Launches First Wuyang Constellation Satellite From Sea (Video)
China launched the first satellite of its domestically developed Wuyang low-inclination remote-sensing constellation at 11:39 a.m. Beijing time on Oct. 21, 2026. The spacecraft, Xiguang-4 01, lifted off aboard a Ceres-1S Y8 rocket from a mobile platform in the Yellow Sea off Rizhao, Shandong province, and entered a 541-kilometer low Earth orbit. The mission marks…
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China Launches Algeria Earth-Observation Satellite From Jiuquan
Galactic Energy carried out the first private space mission in China in 2026 on Friday, successfully launching its Ceres-1 carrier rocket from a sea-based platform and placing four commercial satellites into orbit, the company said. The solid-fuel rocket lifted off at 4:10 a.m. from a mobile launch platform in the Yellow Sea, off China’s eastern…
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China prepares to launch uncrewed Shenzhou as maiden launches slip for commercial launch providers
China is preparing to launch an uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft as its astronauts shuffle missions following damage to the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, while the Tiangong station prepares to greet its first international visitor in 2026. Meanwhile, commercial launch providers continue to make progress toward maiden launches, though a number have slipped into early next year. Furthermore, a…
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China’s Galactic Energy Rocket Fails to Reach Orbit in Latest Launch Attempt
Chinese commercial space firm Galactic Energy said on Monday that one of its Ceres-1 rockets failed to reach orbit, preventing the delivery of its payload of satellites and marking a setback for one of the country’s leading private launch companies. The Beijing-based company confirmed that the Ceres-1 mission did not achieve its intended orbit and…
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China Roundup: Third successful EVA and deep-space ambitions as China’s space economy surges
The Shenzhou-19 crew recently conducted their third spacewalk this month as the China National Space Administration announced it is open to including international scientific payloads aboard a forthcoming Mars mission. Meanwhile, bold plans for planetary exploration have been revealed and a design has emerged for a new space telescope with a familiar design. The commercial…
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Launch Roundup: Electron, Falcon 9, and Ceres-1 launches flying this week
The busy launch manifests of recent weeks are continuing, with Falcon 9, Electron, and Chinese rocket launches having taken place this week. SpaceX launched Starlink 12-25 and NROL-57 along with NROL-69, while Starlink 11-7 moved into next week. Rocket Lab’s Electron successfully launched from New Zealand on the heels of last week’s “The Lightning God…
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Launch Roundup: Starship, Ariane 6 and telescope missions delayed, lunar lander flies
Several significant missions were scheduled for this week, including the third lunar lander to launch in just over a month. The Intuitive Machines-2 (IM-2) mission will explore and analyze the Moon’s subsurface, testing new technologies and paving the way for future lunar missions. NASA is also set to launch its SPHEREx observatory, which will map…
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China Roundup: Chang Zheng 8A set for debut, Chinese hopper flies 75 km high-altitude test
China’s Chang Zheng 8A rocket is set for its maiden flight from the Hainan commercial spaceport this month. Meanwhile, a Chang Zheng 12A development prototype flew a 75 km high-altitude test flight this week with an uncertain outcome. 2025 has begun with land and sea launches as commercial companies gear up to debut new and…
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Launch Roundup: SpaceX plans for five customer missions; Rocket Lab launch mission for Synspective
The orbital launch manifest for the week of Dec. 16 through Dec. 22 has been one of the busiest yet, with 10 of the 12 planned launches worldwide succeeding. SpaceX planned to launch seven Falcon 9 missions this week, with five customer missions, one rideshare mission, and one Starlink mission. Outside of the U.S., three…