A CERES-1 Y15 commercial carrier rocket blasted off at 7:39 p.m. on Friday, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, sending three satellites and the Eros Star in-orbit test platform into planned sun-synchronous orbit.

This is the second Eros Star in-orbit test platform, following the first launch on June 6, 2024. The Eros Star is China's first domestic commercial rocket upper stage in-orbit test platform, independently developed by the Chinese private firm Galactic Energy.

Based on the final stage of the CERES-1 carrier rocket, some adaptive modifications have been made to enable long-term orbital operation through system upgrades. This platform can provide low-cost, convenient and efficient in-orbit test verification services for various new technologies, components and products. This has significantly enhanced the utilization value of the rocket's upper stages, exploring new paths for resource reuse in the commercial space sector. 

Romantic spirit of China's space program: Story behind the mission code

The launch mission of CERES-1 Y15 is dubbed "Que Qiao Xian," meaning "Immortal at the Magpie Bridge." It refers to a famous Chinese poem about the legendary Cowherd and Weaver Girl, lovers separated by the Milky Way. They can meet only once a year on the Magpie Bridge during the Chinese Valentine's Day, or Qixi Festival, which is shown on the mission badge.

The two Eros Star in-orbit test platforms now meet each other in space.

Functions of the three satellites 

The Kaiyun-1 satellite is mainly used for Earth observation and space sensing. It undertakes data acquisition and downlink missions, providing critical data support for various scientific research work.

The Yuxing-3 08 satellite mainly conducts on-orbit verification for novel temperature-adaptive materials and will later perform Earth observation missions using its 5-meter resolution remote sensing camera.

The Yunyao-1 27 satellite is equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payload, which enables data acquisition of atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure and ionospheric electron density.

To date, Galactic Energy has deployed a total of 85 satellite payloads for 27 clients, demonstrating consistent reliability in the Chinese commercial space sector.

(Cover: A CERES-1 Y15 commercial carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, September 5, 2025. CGTN/Li Yuxiang, Li Ningxiao, Li Siqi, Hao Yutong)