Another group of 18 Qianfan Constellation satellites launched in Hainan, South China

Home>>

By Deng Xiaoci (Global Times) 13:36, March 12, 2025

Song Zhengyu, chief designer of the Long March 8 series at CALT, explained, "The Long March 8 ranks among the top medium-lift rockets in China in terms of payload efficiency and capacity, particularly suited for sun-synchronous orbit and large-scale low-Earth orbit constellation deployments. Its modular design enables flexible configurations, making it an optimal solution for building satellite networks at 1,100 km altitude."

Launch Pad 1 is expected to follow a "7+7 test-launch cycle" plan, aiming to achieve high-frequency launches with two missions completed within 14 days. The CALT team will refine technical and management processes, aiming to cut China's commercial launch costs by over 30 percent while supporting satellite internet, deep space exploration, and other missions, the academy revealed.

These 18 new satellites bring the Qianfan Constellation's total to 90 in orbit. Designed with a full-spectrum, multi-layer, and multi-orbit architecture, the constellation features fully independent and controllable core technologies and an autonomous industrial chain. It provides global users with seamless coverage, lower latency, greater capacity, and more cost-effective satellite (broadband) internet services, according to the satellite developers the Shanghai-based SHGS.

Wednesday's successful launch of the Long March-8 carrier rocket marked the 563rd flight of the Long March rocket family.

(Photo/Courtesy of the CALT)

(Photo/Courtesy of the CALT)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)