Chinese Rocket Failure Grounds Satellite Launch

In a setback for China's burgeoning commercial space industry, Beijing-based Galactic Energy reported a failed launch of its Ceres-1 rocket on November 10, 2025. The rocket, which had successfully completed over a dozen missions since 2023, suffered an "abnormal engine shutdown" nearly 10 minutes after liftoff from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

As a result, the three satellites the Ceres-1 was carrying were unable to reach their preset orbits. Galactic Energy, one of China's leading private space companies, has been rapidly expanding its launch cadence in recent years, but this latest mishap marks the second failure the firm has experienced in 2025.

The company has vowed to thoroughly investigate the cause of the failure and learn from the experience. "We will continuously optimize our rocket design and quality management systems, and carry on advancing China's commercial space exploration (sector) with more reliable performance and steadier progress," Galactic Energy said in a statement.

The failed launch comes at a critical juncture for the company, which has been riding a wave of investor interest. Just last month, Galactic Energy began the process for a potential initial public offering in China, following a $337 million Series D funding round led by state-owned and private venture capital firms. The company has now raised almost 5 billion yuan ($702 million) since 2021, a significant increase from its earlier funding rounds.