China Launched 11th Group Satellite into Space: Guovang Network is Developing

China Adds a New Group to its Satellite Constellation Network

The satellites, launched as a new part of China's internet satellite constellation network, were successfully sent into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province with a modified Long March-6 rocket.

Immediately after the launch, the satellites settled into their planned positions in low Earth orbit. This launch was recorded as the 597th successful transport mission carried out with Long March series rockets.

About Guowang Constellation Satellites

Details regarding the launched satellites have not yet been disclosed. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) referred to this launch as the “SatNet Leo Group 11 mission”. These are known as the Hualianwang satellites used in the Guowang constellation network.

Previous groups of Guowang satellites were launched sequentially from December 16, 2024, to August 25. During this period, an intensive launch program was carried out between July 27 and August 26.

Future of the Guowang Project

Guowang is a project that China initiated in 2020 by applying to the International Telecommunication Union with the goal of establishing a large satellite constellation network. This project is being carried out by the China Satellite Network Group Corporation (China SatNet), and it plans to place 13,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.

According to ITU regulations, satellite constellation operators must exceed certain thresholds within specific periods to gain frequency rights. The Guowang project aims to deploy 6,500 satellites into orbit by 2035.

Competition with the Qianfan Project

China also has another satellite network project called “Qianfan” (Space Sail). Developed by the Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Co. (SSST), this project aims to create a mega satellite network consisting of 14,000 broadband internet satellites.

The first group of the Qianfan satellite network will be launched on August 6, 2024, the second group on October 15, 2024, and the third group on December 5, 2024.