On the launchpad, Ceres-2 weighs about 100,000 kilograms and stands over 30 meters tall.
Ceres-2’s four stages and necessary systems underwent testing throughout 2025.
Ceres-2’s published payload capacity is 1,300 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology’s Long March 3B/E failed about twelve hours before Galactic Energy’s Ceres-2 launch.
The liftoff of Ceres-2 occurred at 04:08 UTC on January 17, 2026.
Ceres-2 is likely failed.
The debut launch of the solid Ceres-2 from Jiuquan occurred at 0408 UTC on January 17, 2026.
The first and second stages of Ceres-2 have a diameter of around 2.6 meters and the payload fairing has a diameter of 2.9 meters.
Footage viewed by China Daily staff shows Ceres-2 flying successfully for several moments before veering off-course and crashing into the ground.
Galactic Energy’s Ceres-2 experienced flight anomalies during its maiden flight that resulted in early termination of the mission.
Galactic Energy’s Ceres-2 launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on January 17 at around 12:08 China Standard Time (04:08 UTC).
The Ceres-2 launch also failed.
The fourth stage of Ceres-2 burns a storable propellant likely consisting of monomethylhydrazine and mixed oxides of nitrogen.
The Ceres-2 first launch failed.
Ceres-2’s maiden mission carried eight payloads, six of which were intended to separate after reaching orbit, and all eight payloads were destroyed.
Ceres-2 vehicle assembly and launch processing testing was completed in Haiyang during September 2025 before the vehicle was disassembled and shipped to Jiuquan.
Ceres-2 is based on experiences and technologies derived from the smaller Ceres-1 launch vehicle.
The first launch of the Ceres-2 may involve Chinese launchers due to a recent failure by the 'national team'.
The Ceres-2 rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) on January 17, 2026.
Galactic Energy's Ceres-2 rocket is likely debuting on December 15 at approximately 04:05 UTC.