On December 7, 2021, at 12:12 Beijing local time, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center successfully launched the Ceres-1 Yao-2 carrier rocket. This is the second flight of the carrier rocket. The liftoff event was a complete success, according to official reports.
The last time the Ceres-1 carrier rocket was launched was in 2020, and the aircraft marks the first-of-its-kind vector-controlled launch vehicle which will be used for commercial aerospace. The carrier rocket will carry Tianjin University-1, Lize-1, Baoshui, and Golden Bauhinia, and five other small satellites, including the Brewing, Golden Bauhinia 5, and Golden Bauhinia 1 03 satellites, will be sent into the designated orbit.
The Ceres-1 was developed by Galaxy Dynamics, and the carrier rocket itself is a four-stage commercial launch vehicle. The rocket possesses a diameter of 1.4 meters and a total length of 20 meters; moreover, it possesses the capacity to carry 300 kg on a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. But more importantly, the carrier rocket is the first innovative application of vertical self-targeting and a low chamber pressure-to-height ratio.
The takeoff weight of the carrier rocket is about 33 tons. The rocket’s first, second, and third stages use solid engines, whereas the fourth stage is considered to be Liquid upper level. Additionally, the carrier rocket also uses low fuel consumption simple control.
After the successful launch of the Ceres 1 Yaoyi vehicle for the first time back in 2020, Galaxy Power Aerospace has carried out further work to improve the launch of the rocket, all the while keeping in mind the three goals for improving the rocket’s carrying performance, quality control, mass production, and delivery capabilities. Galaxy Power Aerospace has further plans for the upcoming year. The company wants to complete 5 commercial launch missions and work on the development of the medium and large reusable launch vehicle called the Zhishen-1.
