China has sent its 7th satellite group into space, which will form part of the Chienfan (Space Sail) constellation network, which it established in Low Earth Orbit and aims to compete with the Starlink network of the American SpaceX company. According to Xinhua, the group of 18 satellites was launched from the commercial spacecraft center on Hainan Island with the “Long March-8” rocket. Developed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Company (SSST), the Chienfan satellites will form part of a constellation of satellites established in Low Earth Orbit.
While it is planned to position 1296 satellites into orbit in the first phase of the project, also known as “G60 Starlink”, it is aimed to create a mega constellation network consisting of 14 thousand broadband internet satellites when all stages are completed. The first of the groups of 18 satellites that will form part of the Chienfan satellite network was launched on August 6, 2024, the second on October 15, 2024, the third on December 5, 2024, the fourth on January 23, 2025, the fifth on March 11, 2025, and the sixth on October 18, 2025.
Source: AA
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