Galactic Energy

Galactic Energy is a Chinese private space launch enterprise flying the Ceres-1[1][2][3] and developing the Pallas-1 and Ceres-2 orbital rockets. The company's long-term objective is to mine asteroids for rare metals and minerals.[4]

History

Galactic Energy successfully conducted its first launch in November 2020 with a Ceres-1 rocket. Galactic Energy became the second private company in China to put a satellite in orbit successfully (after i-Space) and the fourth to attempt an orbital launch (after Landspace, OneSpace, and i-Space).

Launch vehicles

Ceres-1

Ceres-1 is a four-stage rocket small-lift launch vehicle, the first three stages use solid-propellant rocket motors and the final stage uses a hydrazine propulsion system. It can deliver 400 kg to low Earth orbit or 300 kg to 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). It is about 19 m tall and 1.4 m in diameter.[8]

The first launch of Ceres-1 took place at 7 November 2020, successfully placing the Tianqi 11 (also transcribed Tiange, also known as TQ 11, and Scorpio 1, COSPAR 2020-080A) satellite in orbit.[9] The satellite's mass was about 50 kg and its purpose was to function as an experimental satellite offering Internet of things (IoT) communications.[10]

On 5 September 2023 the sea-launched version of the launch vehicle, designated Ceres-1S, made its debut successfully sending to orbit four Tianqi satellites. The launch took place from the DeFu 15002 converted barge (previously used also for launching the Long March 11 launch vehicle) off the coast of Haiyang.[11]

Ceres-2

Ceres-2 (Gushenxing-2, GX-2)[12] is an enlarged (3.35 metre diameter[13]) and improved development of Ceres-1. It is expected to deliver up to 1600 kg to 500 km low Earth orbit and up to 1300 kg to 500 km SSO.[14]

Debut launch on 17 Jan 2026 was not successful.[15]

Pallas-1

The Pallas-1 is a partly reusable two-stage medium-lift orbital launch vehicle currently in development, with its inaugural flight anticipated in 2025.[16] The first stage will have legs and grid fins to allow recovery by vertical landing (much like the SpaceX Falcon 9).[17] The first stage of Pallas-1 uses seven “CQ-50” liquid oxygen/kerosene engines, with a lift-off mass of 283 tons and a maximum payload capacity to low Earth orbit (LEO) of 8 tons. Using three Pallas-1 booster cores as its first stage, the rocket will be capable of putting a 17.5-tonne payload into low Earth orbit (LEO).[18]

Pallas-2

The Pallas-2 is a next-generation Heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by Galactic Energy, Designed to retain features of the Pallas-1 with a significantly larger payload capacity while keeping reusable VTVL a feature. Based on the company statements Pallas-2 is projected to be more capable of placing 20 tonnes into low earth orbit. (LEO) additional configuration are in development to support larger mission profiles up to 58 tonnes on the heavy tri core variant.[19] Galactic Energy originally presumed for first flight in 2026.[20] Most recently 2026 is promoted as a development time period for Pallas-2. The companies main focus this year is the CQ-90 a higher thrust Kerosene/liquid-oxygen engine that plans to have a throttle range from 120 to 30 tonnes of force.[19]

Development

The first CQ-90 engine was completed by December 2025 in preparation for testing.[19]

Development

The first CQ-90 engine was completed by December 2025 in preparation for testing.[19] On 20 January 2026, the engine was installed on a test stand at Galactic Energy's facility and underwent full-system hot fire test. According to Galactic Energy the engine achieved stable operation with a reported combustion efficiency of approximately 96 percent. The engine is designed to support thrust vector control with a gimbal range of up to six degrees.[21]

trade name	Galactic Energy
type	Private
foundation	February 6, 2018
location city	Beijing, China
founders	Liu Baiqi · Xia Dongkun
industry	Aerospace

History

Launch vehicles

Ceres-1

Ceres-2

Pallas-1

Pallas-2

Development

Development

Marketplace

Launches

Ceres-1 and 1S launches

Ceres-2 launches

Pallas-1 launches

External links

References