A CERES-1 carrier rocket carrying eight satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on March 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's CERES-1 commercial rocket put eight satellites into the 535-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit on Monday.

The carrier rocket, CERES-1 Y10, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 4:07 p.m. on March 17 on a mission dubbed "Auld Lang Syne." It delivered five satellites, including the Yunyao-1 55-60 and the AIRSAT-06 and -07 satellites. 

Equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) occultation detection payloads, the Yunyao-1 satellites are part of the commercial meteorological satellite constellation the Tianjin-based company Yunyao Aerospace is building, with plans for 90 in total. The payload enables satellites to collect atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure and ionospheric electron density data. 

The constellation aims to establish a real-time global atmospheric and ionospheric detection system for global weather forecasting and application in various industries. Specifically, it will provide meteorological forecast information with a real-time performance better than 20 minutes for countries along the Belt and Road partner countries, according to the company.

Beijing-based rocket company Galactic Energy has completed 17 successful launches, with its most recent mission marking the first commercial launch of the year in China.

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