The Chinese private aerospace company Galactic Energy has successfully conducted the inaugural launch of its CERES-2 commercial carrier rocket, placing four satellites into orbit. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the launch took place on Saturday at 7:37 a.m. Beijing time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The four satellites were successfully deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 535 kilometers. These satellites are designed for a variety of applications, including ocean remote sensing, commercial meteorological services, university-led scientific research, and space situational awareness. Developers stated that the successful test flight and the precise orbital insertion of the satellites mark the official commencement of the CERES-2 rocket’s operational phase. The medium-lift launch vehicle is designed specifically for commercial missions. It features three solid-propellant stages followed by a liquid-propellant upper stage. With a launch mass of approximately 100 tons, the CERES-2 is capable of delivering up to 1.3 tons of payload into a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket is engineered for versatility, with the capability to be launched from both land-based and sea-based platforms. A representative for Galactic Energy stated that the company intends to continue enhancing the efficiency and reliability of its solid-propellant rockets to meet the growing demand for the deployment and replenishment of small and medium-sized satellite constellations, as well as the establishment of larger space-based systems.