Ceres-1 (Chinese: 谷神星一号; pinyin: Gushenxing-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.[1]
| Function | Launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Galactic Energy |
| Country of origin | China |
| Cost per launch | US$4.5 million |
| Size | |
| Height | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) |
| Mass | 33,000 kg (73,000 lb) |
| Stages | 4 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to Low Earth orbit | |
| Mass | 400 kg (880 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Comparable | Electron, Pegasus, Kuaizhou1A |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | JSLC |
| Total launches | 13 |
| Success(es) | 12 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| Partial failure(s) | 0 |
| First flight | 7 November 2020 |
| Last flight | 30 May 2024 |
| First stage – GS-1 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 588 kilonewtons (132,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 73.9 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage – GS-2 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 274.4 kilonewtons (61,700 lbf) |
| Burn time | 70 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage – GS-3 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 86.24 kilonewtons (19,390 lbf) |
| Burn time | 69 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Fourth stage – Advanced liquid upper stage | |
| Maximum thrust | 10 kilonewtons (2,200 lbf) |
| Burn time | 600 seconds |
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.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
Launches
| Rocket & Serial | Date | Payload | Orbit | Launch Site | Outcome | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceres-1 Y1 | 7 November 2020, 07:12[5] | Tianqi-1 (Scorpio-1) | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | First flight of Ceres-1. |
| Ceres-1 Y2 | 7 December 2021, 04:12[6][7] | Tianjin University-1 Lize-1BaoyunGolden Bauhinia-5Golden Bauhinia-1 03 | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y3 | 9 August 2022, 04:11[8] | Taijing-1 01 Taijing-1 02Donghai-1 | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y4 | 16 November 2022, 06:19[9] | Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 08 Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 51Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 52Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 53Jilin-1 Gaofen-03D 54 | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y5 | 9 January 2023, 05:04[10] | Nantong Zhongxue Tianmu-1 01Tianmu-1 02Xiamen Keji-1Tianqi-13 | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y6 | 22 July 2023, 05:07[11] | Qiankun-1 Xingshidai-16 (Tai'an) | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y7 | 10 August 2023, 04:03[12] | Diwei Zhineng Yingji-1 (Henan Ligong-1) Xi'an Hangtou × 4Xiguang-1 01Xingchi-1B | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y8 | 25 August 2023, 04:59[13] | Jilin-1 Kuanfu-02A (HKUST-Xiongbin-1) | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1S Y1 | 5 September 2023, 09:34[14] | Tianqi-21 Tianqi-22Tianqi-23Tianqi-24 | SSO | DeFu 15002 platform, | Success | First sea-launch flight. |
| Ceres-1 Y11 | 21 September 2023, 04:59[15] | Jilin-1 Gaofen-04B | SSO | Jiuquan | Failure | First Ceres-1 failure after 9 consecutive successful launches since 2020. |
| Ceres-1 Y9 | 5 December 2023, 23:33[16] | Tianyan-16 Xingchi-1A | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1S Y2 | 29 May 2024, 08:12 [14] | Tianqi-25 Tianqi-26Tianqi-27Tianqi-28 | SSO | Special converted barge (Dong Fang Hang Tian Gang), Offshore waters of Rizhao, Yellow Sea | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y12 | 30 May 2024, 23:39[16] | Jiguang Xingzuo 01 & 02, Yunyao-1 14 (Hebei Linxi-1), Yunyao-1 25 (Zhangjiang Gaoke), Yunyao-1 26 (Nishuihan-2) | SSO | Jiuquan | Success | |
| Ceres-1 Y12 | 2024[16] | TBA | SSO | Jiuquan | Planned | |
| Ceres-1 Y13 | 2024[16] | TBA | SSO | Jiuquan | Planned | |
| Ceres-1 Y14 | 2024[16] | TBA | SSO | Jiuquan | Planned | |
| Ceres-1 Y15 | 2024[16] | TBA | SSO | Jiuquan | Planned | |
| Ceres-1 | 2024 (TBD)[17][18] | Zengzhang-1 | LEO | Jiuquan | Planned | Reentry capsule |