Has Galactic Energy reached orbit?

Yes. Its Ceres-1 rocket first reached orbit in November 2020, making Galactic Energy the second Chinese private company to do so, and it later became the first private Chinese firm to reach orbit more than once.

What rockets does Galactic Energy build?

Its operational vehicle is the small-lift, mostly solid-fueled Ceres-1 (including the sea-launched Ceres-1S variant). It is also developing the larger reusable liquid oxygen/kerosene Pallas-1, plus follow-on Ceres-2 and Pallas-2 vehicles.

Is Pallas-1 reusable and has it flown?

Pallas-1 is a two-stage reusable liquid rocket designed for roughly 8 tonnes to low Earth orbit. As of 2026 it had completed extensive ground and static-fire testing but had not yet conducted its first orbital flight.

Companies

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Galactic Energy

Ceres-1 small launcher and reusable Pallas-1

Founded: 2018
Headquarters: Beijing, China

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Total launches

Successful

87.5%

Success rate

Upcoming

Overview

Galactic Energy is a privately owned Chinese commercial launch company founded in February 2018 in Beijing by Liu Baiqi and Xia Dongkun. It develops and operates small and medium-lift orbital rockets aimed at the commercial small-satellite and constellation markets.

Its flagship vehicle, Ceres-1, is a four-stage small-lift launcher with three solid stages and a liquid (hydrazine) upper stage. The company also flies a sea-launched variant, Ceres-1S, and is developing Pallas-1, a two-stage reusable liquid oxygen/kerosene rocket capable of roughly 8 tonnes to low Earth orbit.

In November 2020 Galactic Energy became the second Chinese private company to reach orbit, and it later became the first Chinese private firm to reach orbit more than once. By 2026 it had built a strong Ceres-1 launch cadence from both Jiuquan and offshore platforms, while Pallas-1 had completed extensive ground and static-fire testing ahead of its debut flight.

Milestones

Timeline

2018
Company founded
Galactic Energy was established in Beijing on 6 February 2018 by Liu Baiqi and Xia Dongkun.
Nov 2020
First orbital launch
Ceres-1's maiden flight placed the Tianqi-11 satellite into orbit, making Galactic Energy the second Chinese private company to reach orbit.
2021
First private firm to orbit twice
A second successful Ceres-1 mission made Galactic Energy the first Chinese private company to reach orbit more than once.
Sep 2023
First sea-based launch
The Ceres-1S sea-launched variant flew its maiden offshore mission, lofting four Tianqi satellites from a converted barge.
2025
Pallas-1 static-fire testing
Both stages of the reusable Pallas-1 liquid rocket completed static-fire tests as the vehicle was prepared for its debut flight.