In a significant stride towards global connectivity, the Chinese mainland successfully launched 18 satellites from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province on Tuesday evening at 7:06 p.m. Beijing Time.
The mission utilized a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. This new-generation, eco-friendly rocket is capable of delivering payloads exceeding 4.5 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit 700 kilometers above Earth.
These 18 satellites mark the first batch of China's ambitious \"Spacesail Constellation,\" also known as the \"Thousand Sails Constellation\" or \"G60.\" The project aims to deploy over 15,000 low-Earth orbit satellites by 2030, mirroring SpaceX's Starlink initiative. The goal is to provide global users with low-latency, high-speed, and ultra-reliable satellite broadband internet services.
The recent launch is the 539th mission in the Long March carrier rocket series, underscoring China’s persistent advancements in space technology. With the satellites now in their designated orbits, the Spacesail Constellation is set to enhance internet accessibility worldwide, bridging digital divides and fostering seamless global communication.
Reference(s):
China launches 18 satellites for internet constellation project
cgtn.com
