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CERES 1

active
Signals IntelligenceLEOCOSPAR 2021-105ALaunched 11/16/2021
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Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
CERES 1-3
Launch Vehicle
Vega
Launch Date
11/16/2021
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
670.5 km
Inclination
75 deg
Dry Mass
400 kg
Total Mass
446 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Signals Intelligence
Payload Category
SIG
Payload Class
D
Organizations
Operator
French Armament General Directorate (DGA)
Manufacturer
Airbus
Registry
COSPAR ID
2021-105A
UN Registration
ST/SG/SER.E/1047
Track
Mentions
199
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

Galactic Energy reached orbit twice with its Ceres-1 solid rocket and is developing the VTVL-capable Pallas-1 liquid rocket targeting launch around early 2023.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 31, 2022China’s Deep Blue Aerospace targets big national, commercial launch opportunities
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Commercial Chinese launch vehicles active during 2016–2021 included Smart Dragon-1, Kuaizhou-1A, Hyperbola-1, and Ceres-1.

GeneralValue 2.6Jan 28, 2022China presents space plans and priorities in new white paper

A new Eastern spaceport for sea launches established at Haiyang, Shandong province could facilitate sea launches of the Ceres-1.

GrowthPlanValue 3.0Jan 24, 2022China’s Galactic Energy raises $200 million for reusable launch vehicle development

Beijing-based InterSpace Explore signed a deal in August 2021 with Galactic Energy for launch of the Zengzhang-1 demonstration returnable satellite on a Ceres-1 solid rocket in 2022.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Jan 24, 2022China’s Galactic Energy raises $200 million for reusable launch vehicle development

Galactic Energy became the first Chinese private launch firm to reach orbit twice with its Ceres-1 solid rocket in December 2021, placing five satellites into Sun-synchronous orbit.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Jan 24, 2022China’s Galactic Energy raises $200 million for reusable launch vehicle development

Galactic Energy raised $29,900,000 in November 2020 following the successful first launch of the Ceres-1.

FinancialGrowthPlanValue 4.3Jan 24, 2022China’s Galactic Energy raises $200 million for reusable launch vehicle development

Private firm Galactic Energy plans up to five further Ceres-1 solid rocket launches from Jiuquan during 2022 following its second successful Ceres-1 launch.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Jan 3, 2022China aims to complete space station in another huge year in space

Galactic Energy successfully launched a Ceres-1 solid rocket in December 2021.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Dec 30, 2021China closes record-breaking year with orbital launches from Jiuquan and Xichang

Galactic Energy achieved a successful Ceres-1 orbital launch in 2021.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0Dec 23, 2021Long March 7A launches classified Shiyan-12 satellites

The Ceres-1 rocket has a diameter of 1.4 m, a length of about 20 m, and a take-off weight of about 33,000 kg.

CapabilityValue 4.0Dec 7, 2021Chinese private firm Galactic Energy puts five satellites in orbit with second launch

Galactic Energy became the first Chinese private firm to reach orbit twice with the 2021-12-06 Ceres-1 launch.

GeneralValue 3.5Dec 7, 2021Chinese private firm Galactic Energy puts five satellites in orbit with second launch

Ceres-1 can carry 300 kg of payload into a 500-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.0Dec 7, 2021Chinese private firm Galactic Energy puts five satellites in orbit with second launch

The second Ceres-1 launch placed five satellites into a roughly 500-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Dec 7, 2021Chinese private firm Galactic Energy puts five satellites in orbit with second launch

Galactic Energy launched its second Ceres-1 rocket on 2021-12-06 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Dec 7, 2021Chinese private firm Galactic Energy puts five satellites in orbit with second launch

An Arianespace Vega flight on 2021-11-16 delivered the CERES 1, CERES 2, and CERES 3 satellites into orbit for CNES on behalf of the French Ministry for the Armed Forces (DGA).

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.0Nov 17, 2021Arianespace to launch Australian Optus-11 on Ariane 6

The second Ceres-1 is expected to launch from Jiuquan carrying multiple satellites in the near future.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0Nov 11, 2021Chinese rocket firms make new moves toward launch

Galactic Energy improved the second and third stage engines of Ceres-1 and introduced carbon fiber composites to boost thrust-to-weight ratio, payload capacity, and overall launcher performance.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.2Nov 11, 2021Chinese rocket firms make new moves toward launch

Private launch company Galactic Energy was preparing to launch its second Ceres-1 solid rocket in October 2021.

PlanValue 4.0Sep 9, 2021China launches ChinaSat-9B broadcast satellite

Beijing Interstellar Development Technology Co., Ltd. (InterSpace Explore) signed a deal on 2021-08-04 with Galactic Energy for launch of the Zengzhang-1 demonstration returnable satellite on a Ceres-1 solid rocket in 2022.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.6Aug 13, 2021Startup wants to develop cargo services for Chinese space station

Galactic Energy plans two Ceres-1 launches in the months following August 2021.

PlanGrowthValue 3.6Aug 13, 2021Startup wants to develop cargo services for Chinese space station