Ceres-1 (), is a four-stage rocket manufactured and operated by Galactic Energy, the first three stages use solid-propellant rocket motors and the final stage uses a hydrazine propulsion system. It is about 20 m (62 ft) tall and 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in diameter. It can deliver 400 kg (880 lb) to low Earth orbit or 300 kg (660 lb) to 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit.
History The first launch of a Ceres-1 took place at 7 November 2020, successfully placing the Tianqi 11 (also transcribed Tiange, also known as TQ 11, and Scorpio 1, COSPAR 2020-080A) satellite in orbit. The satellite's mass was about 50 kg (110 lb) and its purpose was to function as an experimental satellite offering Internet of things (IoT) communications.
On 5 September 2023, the sea-launched version of the launch vehicle, designated Ceres-1S, made its debut successfully sending to orbit four Tianqi satellites. The launch took place from the DeFu 15002 converted barge (previously used also for launching the Long March 11 launch vehicle) off the coast of Haiyang.
A larger version of Ceres-1, named Ceres-2, is under development with a 3 to 4 times larger payload capacity.
Launch statistics summary
Launches
Rocket & SerialDatePayloadOrbitLaunch siteOutcomeRemarksCeres-1 Y17 November 2020, 07:12Tianqi-1 (Scorpio-1)SSOJiuquan First flight of Ceres-1.Ceres-1 Y27 December 2021, 04:12Tianjin University-1 Lize-1 Baoyun Golden Bauhinia-5 Golden Bauhinia-1 03SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y39 August 2022, 04:11Taijing-1 01 Taijing-1 02 Donghai-1SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y416 November 2022, 06:19Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 08 Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 51 Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 52 Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 53 Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 54SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y59 January 2023, 05:04Nantong Zhongxue Tianmu-1 01 Tianmu-1 02 Xiamen Keji-1 Tianqi-13SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y622 July 2023, 05:07Qiankun-1 Xingshidai-16 (Tai'an)SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y710 August 2023, 04:03Diwei Zhineng Yingji-1 (Henan Ligong-1) Xi'an Hangtou × 4 Xiguang-1 01 Xingchi-1BSSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y825 August 2023, 04:59Jilin-1 Kuanfu-02A (HKUST-Xiongbin-1)SSOJiuquan Ceres-1S Y15 September 2023, 09:34Tianqi-21 Tianqi-22 Tianqi-23 Tianqi-24SSODeFu 15002 platform, Yellow Sea First sea-launch flight.Ceres-1 Y1121 September 2023, 04:59Jilin-1 Gaofen-04BSSOJiuquan First Ceres-1 failure after 9 consecutive successful launches since 2020.Ceres-1 Y95 December 2023, 23:33Tianyan-16Xingchi-1ASSOJiuquan Ceres-1S Y229 May 2024, 08:12Tianqi-25Tianqi-26Tianqi-27Tianqi-28LEOSpecial converted barge (Dong Fang Hang Tian Gang)Offshore waters of Rizhao, Yellow Sea Ceres-1 Y1230 May 2024, 23:39Jiguang Xingzuo 01 & 02, Yunyao-1 14 (Hebei Linxi-1), Yunyao-1 25 (Zhangjiang Gaoke), Yunyao-1 26 (Nishuihan-2)SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y136 June 2024, 05:00ErosTEE-01BNaxing-3 A & B SSOJiuquan Ceres-1S Y329 August 202405:22Yunyao-1 (15,16,17)Jitianxing A-03Suxing 1-01Tianfu Gaofen 2SSOSpecial converted barge (Dong Fang Hang Tian Gang)Offshore waters of Rizhao, Yellow Sea Ceres-1S Y419 December 202410:18Tianqi 30-33LEOSpecial converted barge (Dong Fang Hang Tian Gang)Offshore waters of Rizhao, Yellow Sea Ceres-1 Y1620 January 202510:11Yunyao-1 37-40Jitianxing A-05 SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y1017 March 202508:07Yunyao-1 55-60AIRSAT-06 (Zhongke 06)AIRSAT-07 (Zhongke 07)SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y1721 March 202511:07Yunyao-1 43-48SSOJiuquan Ceres-1S Y519 May 202507:38Tianqi 34-37LEOSpecial converted barge (Dong Fang Hang Tian Gang)Offshore waters of Rizhao, Yellow Sea Ceres-1 Y155 September 202511:39Kaiyun-1Yuxing-3 08Yunyao-1 27SSOJiuquan Ceres-1 Y1910 November 202504:02Jilin-1 Gaofen-04CJilin-1 Pingtai 02A-04Zhongbei University-1SSOJiuquan 4th stage shut down prematurely 510 seconds into the burn.Ceres-1S Y715 January 202620:10Tianqi-1 38-41LEOSpecial converted barge (DeFu 15001)Offshore waters of Rizhao, Yellow Sea
References