China Successfully Launches Ceres-1 Rocket from Sea

Chinese commercial space company Galactic Energy successfully conducted its first sea launch, marking its ninth consecutive successful launch. The Ceres-1 solid rocket lifted off from a mobile sea platform off the coast of Haiyang, carrying four satellites for Guodian Gaoke's Tianqi low-Earth orbit narrow-band Internet of Things constellation. The launch aimed to place the satellites in an 800-kilometer-altitude orbit. Galactic Energy plans to complete its 38-satellite constellation by 2024. The sea launch spaceport in Haiyang has also supported launches by other companies, and its expansion is expected to provide greater launch flexibility and reduce the risk of falling rocket debris.