China Launches Initial Batch of Qianfan Network Satellites

China Launches Initial Batch of Qianfan Network Satellites
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Aug 08, 2024

China launched 18 communications satellites from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province on Tuesday afternoon. The satellites, weighing a total of 4.8 metric tons, were the first group of the Qianfan network, carried by a Long March 6A rocket that launched at 2:42 pm and successfully reached their designated orbit.

The Qianfan network, developed by the Shanghai-based company SpaceSail, aims to provide global high-speed, secure, and reliable broadband internet services. This ambitious project plans to deploy up to 10,000 satellites in low-altitude orbits by the end of 2030. Previously referred to as the G60 network, the initial 18 satellites were designed and built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Innovation Academy for Microsatellites in Shanghai. The academy has also been contracted to produce an additional 306 satellites for the Qianfan network.

The project intends to deploy 648 satellites by the end of next year to establish the first version of the Qianfan network, which is seen by some as China's response to SpaceX's Starlink constellation.

Yang Yuguang, a senior space industry observer in Beijing and vice-chairman of the International Astronautical Federation's Space Transportation Committee, highlighted the advantages of low-orbiting satellites on Tuesday. He explained, "Compared with satellites traveling in high-altitude orbits, low-orbiting satellites can respond to users faster, and can cover more places, especially those in high-latitude regions, so they are better suited for space-based internet networks."

Yang noted the challenges involved in creating and operating a large low-orbit satellite system, emphasizing the need for advanced techniques to maintain positional accuracy and reusable carrier rockets to ensure cost-effective launches. He mentioned that both state-owned and private rocket manufacturers in China are striving to develop reusable rockets to meet the increasing demands of satellite companies.

The Long March 6A rocket, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is a medium-lift launch vehicle. It features a 50-meter liquid-propelled core booster and four solid-fuel side boosters. The core booster, with a diameter of 3.35 meters, is powered by two 120-ton-thrust engines burning liquid oxygen and kerosene. With a liftoff weight of 530 tons, the rocket is capable of transporting satellites to various orbits, including sun-synchronous, low-Earth, and intermediate circular orbits.