On September 5, 2025, China successfully executed two distinct orbital launches, underscoring its expanding capabilities in both governmental and commercial space sectors. The Shiyan-29 satellite was launched aboard a Long March-3C rocket, utilizing the Yuanzheng-1 upper stage, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. This mission, the 592nd for the Long March series, is designated for space environment exploration and related technological tests. The launch occurred at 10:34 a.m. Beijing Time (02:34 UTC).
Later the same day, at 11:35 a.m. Beijing Time (03:35 UTC), the commercial launch provider Galactic Energy successfully launched its Ceres-1 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This mission deployed three satellites: Kaiyun-1, China's first commercial space situational awareness satellite designed for collision warning and debris management; Yuxing-3 (08), intended for in-orbit verification of novel temperature-variable materials and equipped with a high-resolution remote sensing camera; and Yunyao-1 (27), which carries a GNSS occultation payload for atmospheric profiling as part of a global weather data constellation.
The Shiyan-29 mission is set to contribute vital data for understanding the space environment, crucial for future operational safety and efficiency. The Ceres-1 launch, by a private enterprise, highlights the growing maturity and diverse applications within China's commercial space industry. The deployment of satellites focused on weather data and situational awareness demonstrates a strategic integration of space technology into critical national services and commercial applications.
Galactic Energy's Ceres-1, a small-lift vehicle, exemplifies the increasing sophistication and reliability of China's private launch providers. In a separate development, Landspace is addressing a setback from an August 14, 2025, failure of its Zhuque-2E rocket, which was attributed to an arcing short circuit in the second stage. The company is implementing corrective measures, showcasing the iterative process of technological advancement in the commercial space sector.