2024 undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in the development of commercial aerospace. This year has witnessed an unprecedented boom in global space launch activities, setting new historical highs in terms of both the number of launches and the total mass launched. Early in the year, commercial aerospace was included in the government work report for the first time, identified as a new type of productivity for key cultivation and support. This has injected a strong boost into numerous commercial aerospace practitioners, encouraging us to accelerate our journey towards the dazzling starry river.
Galactic Energy, as a leading enterprise in the commercial aerospace sector, has contributed significantly to the rapid development of commercial aerospace, from successfully implementing numerous launch missions to promoting constellation networking and applications, and deepening collaboration along the upstream and downstream of the industry chain.
Ceres Series Rockets Five Successful Land and Sea Launches, Upgraded Models Usher in a New Chapter.
The Ceres series of launch vehicles are small-to-medium-sized solid commercial launch vehicles targeting the small satellite and small constellation launch markets, as well as constellation replenishment. They are characterized by high reliability, quick response, and low cost, with low requirements for launch sites and convenient launch operations. Among them, Ceres-1 is the first commercial launch vehicle independently developed by Galactic Energy, the first domestically produced private rocket model to achieve mass production and high-density launches, and the only private rocket model capable of both land and sea launch platforms. In 2024, Ceres-1 successfully completed five land and sea launch missions, demonstrating flexible regional and orbital adaptability and high-density launch capabilities, thereby swiftly meeting the launch needs of various satellite users to the greatest extent.
On May 29, 2024, the Ceres-1 Sea-Launched Version (Remote Sensing-2) · Sina Weibo launch vehicle was successfully launched, successfully placing Tianqi Constellation satellites 25 to 28 into their planned orbit.
On May 31, 2024, the Ceres-1 (Remote Sensing-12) · Jiangnan Centralized Area launch vehicle successfully delivered five satellites—Aurora Constellation 01 (Fudan Information Sat), 02 (Shanghai Dianji University Sat No. 1), Hebei Linxi Sat No. 1, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Sat, and Nishuihan Sat No. 2—into a 535km dawn-dusk orbit.
At 13:00 on June 6, 2024, the Ceres-1 (Remote Sensing-13) launch vehicle was successfully launched, smoothly delivering TEE-01B (Eye of the Earth-1), NanoSat-3A, NanoSat-3B, and the Aphrodite orbiting experimental platform into a 545km sun-synchronous orbit.
On August 29, 2024, the Ceres-1 Sea-Launched Version (Remote Sensing-3) launch vehicle was successfully launched, placing Yunyao-1 satellites 15 to 17, Jitianxing A-03, Suxing-1 01, and Tianfu High-Resolution Sat No. 2 into their planned orbit.
On December 19, 2024, the Ceres-1 Sea-Launched Version (Remote Sensing-4) was successfully launched, smoothly delivering four satellites from Group 04 of the Tianqi Constellation (satellites 33 to 36) into a near-Earth orbit at an altitude of 850km and an inclination of 45°.
To date, Galactic Energy has successfully completed 15 commercial launch deliveries of Ceres series launch vehicles, accurately delivering a total of 58 commercial satellites with different functions into their planned orbit..
In 2024, building on the mature products and technologies of Ceres-1, Galactic Energy comprehensively initiated the development of the new Ceres-2 launch vehicle. Aimed at significantly enhancing carrying capacity and reducing costs, Ceres-2 is a key upgraded model within the Ceres series, with a takeoff mass of approximately 100 tons, a 500km LEO carrying capacity of 1.6t, and a 500km SSO carrying capacity of 1.3t. Capable of both land and sea launches, it can be extended for electromagnetic rail launch compatibility, becoming the solid launch vehicle with the highest launch efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Currently, the development of the Ceres-2 rocket is progressing steadily, with a first flight planned for the first half of 2025.
Pallas Series Rockets Countdown to First Flight, Ready to Launch
The Pallas series of launch vehicles are medium-to-large reusable liquid launch vehicles targeting the large constellation networking market, comprising two rocket models: Pallas-1 and Pallas-2. Adopting a serialized and modular design concept, Pallas-1 is a two-stage liquid launch vehicle with an optional EROS upper stage, featuring a takeoff mass of approximately 290t and a low-Earth orbit (LEO) carrying capacity of 8t. Based on Pallas-1, Pallas-2 adopts a CBC bundled configuration, with a maximum LEO carrying capacity of up to 30t, capable of meeting market demands such as large constellation networking.
Since 2024, Galactic Energy has successively completed multiple critical tests for the Pallas series of reusable liquid oxygen/kerosene launch vehicles, including hardware-in-the-loop simulation tests for the control system, cold flow tests for the pressurization delivery system, reliability tests for the CQ-50 liquid oxygen/kerosene engine, engine-servo matching tests, and fairing static, modal, and separation series tests.
The CQ-50 liquid oxygen/kerosene engine is the main engine of the Pallas series of liquid launch vehicles, independently developed by Galactic Energy with 100% independent intellectual property rights. As the first domestically produced 50-tonne pin-plug variable thrust engine in the private aerospace sector, it possesses deep thrust modulation, reusability, and multiple start-up capabilities. The pin-plug engine is recognized as one of the best approaches for reusable rocket engines in the aerospace field both domestically and internationally. The engine also features a simple structure and ease of manufacture, with over 80% of its components produced using 3D printing, significantly reducing engine costs and enhancing mass production efficiency.
With the completion of multiple large-scale ground tests for the Pallas rockets and the conclusion of reliability qualification tests for the CQ-50 liquid oxygen/kerosene engine, the Pallas-1 launch vehicle has officially commenced final assembly, entering the final stretch before its first flight.
Expanding Commercial Horizons Numerous New Models Successfully Complete Flight Tests
In 2024, targeting markets such as in-orbit experimentation and services, and supersonic targets, Galactic Energy deployed new products including the Aphrodite-1 orbiting experimental platform, Jifeng-1A supersonic target, and Jifeng-2 hypersonic target, expanding and deepening the company's commercial boundaries through technological innovation.
EROS-1 is the first domestic commercial rocket upper stage orbiting experimental platform. On June 6, 2024, it completed its first flight aboard the Ceres-1 (13TH
Mission) launch vehicle. Independently developed by Galactic Energy, this platform, based on the upper stage of the Ceres-1 launch vehicle, achieves orbiting capability through upgrades, providing a low-cost and convenient verification platform for in-orbit testing of new technologies, devices, and products.
Jifeng-1A is a supersonic target independently developed by Galactic Energy, with a low-altitude cruise Mach number of 2.5. It features low cost, long endurance, and the ability to provide multiple ballistic forms and multi-mission unit formation targeting in complex terrain environments. In 2024, Jifeng-1A completed a flight test at a northwest test base, with all performance indicators meeting design requirements, marking a successful mission.
Jifeng-2 is a near-space hypersonic target independently developed by Galactic Energy, with a maximum flight Mach number of 8 and a range of approximately 700km. It features a simple launch platform, low cost, and strong maneuverability. In 2024, this model completed its first flight test at a northwest test range, with all flight vehicle performance indicators meeting design requirements, marking a successful test.
Accelerating Infrastructure Construction Improving the Rocket Research and Production System
Positioned as a leading commercial aerospace enterprise,Galactic Energy has gradually established and refined a comprehensive research and production system encompassing design, production, testing, and launch, providing robust support for technological innovation and industrialization of its commercial launch vehicles. In 2024, Galactic Energy's liquid rocket and engine production base, engine test stand, and solid rocket assembly production base were completed and fully operational. The dedicated launch pad for the Pallas liquid launch vehicle, rocket component production base, and telemetry and control center for the Eros orbiting experimental platform officially commenced construction. Planning and feasibility studies for the new headquarters base in Beijing and the rocket recovery and reuse base have been completed, with construction expected to start in 2025. With its launch vehicle business as the core,Galactic Energy has deployed a full chain from the production of high-precision components to engines and full-rocket assembly, as well as from launch to in-orbit services. It has established a comprehensive layout for production, testing, launch, and recovery around infrastructure, gradually forming a sophisticated innovation and research and production system tailored for a new generation of commercial launch vehicles. Leaders from all levels of the government have visited Galactic Energy Aerospace to offer guidance and encouragement.
Collaborative Advancement Along the Industry Chain Deep Integration of Industry, Academia, and Research
Galactic Energy adheres to the mutual promotion of industry, academia, and research, actively promoting the joint establishment of research platforms with universities and research institutions to facilitate the two-way empowerment of scientific research achievements. By 2024, the company had over 400 qualified upstream suppliers, significantly enhancing the supply capacity of research and production infrastructure and power system components, ensuring the smooth progress of projects. Downstream satellite customers cover different needs such as remote sensing, communications, and experimental satellites, with signed orders extending to the end of 2026.
The company has jointly established the Beijing Key Laboratory of "Reusable Aerospace Vehicle System Design" with Beihang University and other units; it has cooperated with the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Zhongguancun Management Committee, and Economic Development Zone to set up the "Beijing Special Natural Science Fund for Commercial Aerospace"; and it has actively undertaken various national and provincial key research projects and development plans.Galactic Energy has established close research cooperation with more than 30 universities, research institutions, and leading industry enterprises, producing over 50 research cooperation achievements. An increasing number of research partners are joining the Galactic Energy research ecosystem to jointly tackle challenges and advance together in the field of new-generation aerospace technology.
Honors Abound, Leading the Way Forward
In terms of awards, in 2024, Galactic Energy was successively awarded the Capital Labor Medal, and the company's Party Secretary and President Liu Jianshe received the "National May 1st Labor Medal." At the Commercial Aerospace Conference, the company won the "Most Commercially Valuable Enterprise Award" and "Most Influential Brand Award" in commercial aerospace, and its founder and CEO Liu Baiqi received the "Annual Figure in Commercial Aerospace Award."Galactic Energy was also listed on the "Top 100 Private Enterprises in Beijing for Scientific and Technological Innovation" and the "Top 100 SMEs List," selected for the "2024 Hurun Global Unicorn Index," "2023 Forbes China New Unicorn List," KPMG's "Smart Manufacturing Technology Top 50 List," and Jiazi Guangnian's "2024 Most Commercially Promising Companies in Space Technology." In terms of patents, the company has obtained nearly 200 authorized patents, with invention patents accounting for 70%.
Looking ahead to 2025,Galactic Energy will continue to be driven by innovation, accelerating the commercial application of reusable rocket technology. It will achieve the first flights and technological iterations of new-generation launch vehicles such as Pallas-1 and Ceres-2 according to the plan, expand the applications of the Eros orbiting platform, and continue to deepen the industry chain layout and expand international cooperation, striving to become an important force in global commercial launch services.
