China launched a commercial carrier rocket, the CERES-1 Y9, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Tuesday, sending two satellites into planned orbits.

Developed by Galactic Energy, the rocket blasted off at 7:33 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site.

Tianyan-16 satellite aboard the rocket is a meteorological environment detection satellite. It carries a microwave radiometer and a laser communication payload, capable of continuously carrying out remote sensing detection and laser communication.

Starpool 01-A is a real-time wide-area integrated sensing satellite developed by Chinese satellite startup EllipSpace. It belongs to the "StarPool Plan," a planned constellation comprising over 100 intelligent satellites, integrating communication, navigation and remote sensing systems into a single system.  The construction of the constellation is expected to be completed in 2027.

It was the 11th flight mission using the CERES-1 rocket series.

(CGTN's Wulei and Liu Tianwen contributed to the story. Cover: A CERES-1 Y9 commercial rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 7:33 a.m., November 5, 2023. /Wang Heng via Galactic Energy)