China launches experimental Shiyan-29 to GEO, commercial Ceres-1 carries 3 satellites

HELSINKI — China conducted a pair of launches sending an experimental spacecraft to geosynchronous orbit and three further satellites into polar orbits.

The first launch of the day saw a Long March 3C rocket, exceptionally using a YZ-1 upper stage, lift off at 10:34 p.m. Eastern Sept. 4 (0234 UTC Sept. 5) from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation revealed the payload to be the Shiyan-29 satellite in a statement announcing success of the launch. The launch was described as a complete success, sending the Shiyan-29 satellite into its designated orbit. The Long March 3 series is typically used for launches to geosynchronous transfer orbit or occasionally beyond. 

As is standard for Shiyan missions, the spacecraft was described shortly as being “mainly used for space environment detection and related technology experiments.”

The Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAMCAS) later stated that it developed the satellite. It stated that Shiyan-29 uses the SECM3000 high-reliability platform, characterized by light weight, high payload capacity and long lifespan.

IAMCAS develops small, experimental, and often dual-use satellites, and possesses expertise in telecommunications, remote sensing, navigation, micro/nano satellites and dedicated science satellites, as well as satellites for the Guowang broadband megaconstellation.

Analysts believe Shiyan satellites are used to trial new systems such as sensors, communications subsystems and environmental instruments, forming part of China’s efforts to validate new space technologies in orbit. These satellites may act as precursors to operational platforms, verifying designs and payloads before wider deployment.

Satellites in the series appear to have been used for a range of purposes, including technology demonstrations, space environment monitoring, electronic intelligence, remote sensing, space situational awareness and space operations such as rendezvous and proximity maneuvers (RPO).

Many Shiyan satellites operate in low Earth or near-polar orbits, though a number have headed to geosynchronous orbits, including the possible inspector satellites Shiyan-12 (01) and (02). Shiyan-10 satellites, meanwhile, entered Molniya orbits. The previous Shiyan mission saw two separate launches send the Shiyan-28B (01) and Shiyan-28B (02) satellites into the lowest inclination low Earth orbit so far used by China, and that after navigation warnings suggested much higher inclination orbits.

Ceres-1 solid rocket launch

Hours after the Shiyan-29 launch, commercial launch service provider Galactic Energy followed with its own mission.

A Ceres-1 solid propellant rocket lifted off at 7:39 a.m. Eastern (1139 UTC) Sept. 5 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China. Aboard were the Kaiyun-1, Yuxing-3 (08) and Yunyao-1 (27) satellites, as well as an on-orbit experimental platform, according to Galactic Energy.

Kaiyun-1 is a first Chinese commercial space situational awareness satellite for Beijing Kaiyun United Information Technology Group Co., Ltd., sponsored by Leshan High-tech Zone in Sichuan province. The satellite, described as a “traffic monitoring system” in space in a pre-launch news report, has a wide range of application scenarios for satellite collision warning, debris management and other aspects, according to the report.

Yuxing-3 (08) is described as on-orbit verification for new temperature-variable materials and carries a 5-meter resolution remote sensing camera. Yunyao-1 (27) belongs to commercial firm Tianjin Yunyao Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd and carries GNSS occultation payload for atmospheric profiling, adding to the Yunyao global weather data constellation. Yunyao Aerospace is a regular client of Galactic Energy.

The on-orbit platform can operate long-term on-orbit, providing low-cost, convenient and efficient on-orbit testing and verification services for various new technologies, devices and products, according to Galactic Energy. It carries atmospheric detection and optical payloads, a starshield and damping spheres.

Landspace isolates cause of recent failure

Another commercial outfit, Landspace, announced the results Sept. 5 of an investigation into the failure of its Zhuque-2E methane-liquid oxygen launcher. The two-stage rocket launched Aug. 14 from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Experimental Zone at Jiuquan but failed to reach orbit. The failure was found to be caused by an arcing short circuit in the second stage’s 450V DC actuator power bus under low-pressure conditions. The anomaly led to loss of attitude control and triggered the rocket’s self-destruct sequence 258 seconds after liftoff.

A review meeting held Aug. 30 confirmed the issue had been accurately identified and resolved, with corrective measures deemed effective. Landspace pledged to strengthen risk management, quality control of subcontracted products, and overall launch reliability.

The company is understood to be preparing for a test launch of the larger, stainless steel Zhuque-3 at Jiuquan as China gets ready to debut its first potentially reusable rockets.