A scene of the successful launch of the Smart Dragon-3 in September 2025 in Rizhao, Shandong. [Photo/WeChat account: Rizhao Daily]

A Ceres-1S Y7 carrier rocket is scheduled to launch off the coast of Rizhao, Shandong, around Jan 16, and will be the city's first launch of 2026.

The Ceres-1S Y7 carrier rocket will carry four Tianqi constellation satellites from Guodian Gaoke High-Tech Co Ltd in a "one rocket, four satellites" mission. 

Since its first sea launch on Sept 5, 2023, the Ceres-1 rocket has completed all five of its sea-based missions to date. Overall, Rizhao has hosted six sea launch missions, delivering 46 satellites into orbit.