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China’s Megaconstellation Projects Accelerate as Government Bolsters Commercial Space Sector
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Construction of China’s two major megaconstellations is underway, with 2025 anticipated as a pivotal year for these ambitious undertakings.
The initial launch for the Guowang (“national network”) megaconstellation, designed for global broadband internet access, occurred in December. This deployment involved positioning 10 satellites into 1,115-kilometer altitude orbits at an 86.5-degree inclination, utilizing a Long March 5B rocket. A subsequent launch on February 11 employed a smaller Long March 8A vehicle to dispatch nine satellites into 870 km orbits at a 50-degree inclination, indicating potentially different satellite configurations.
Satellites in 50-degree inclination orbits are likely targeted at densely populated areas, while polar orbit satellites are intended to ensure worldwide coverage. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) has verified the development of both large and small satellite platforms for Guowang, though specific functional variations have not been detailed.
Authorities have not yet released comprehensive specifications or imagery of the Guowang satellites, prompting speculation regarding potential capabilities beyond purely civilian applications.
Stringent Timelines
To comply with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) mandates, the state-owned China SatNet must launch 1,300 satellites—representing 10% of the planned Guowang constellation—by September 2029. This necessitates a rapid deployment rate of 24 satellites each month, or 284 annually. By 2032, the operational constellation size must expand to 6,500 satellites, 50% of the total network, requiring an average of 144 monthly launches, or 1,733 satellites per year.
Guowang’s deployment is not exclusively reliant on Long March rockets. Commercial launch provider Landspace has announced intentions to launch a group of Guowang satellites on one of three planned Zhuque-3 missions, with the first launch targeted for the latter half of 2025.
Concurrently, the Shanghai-supported Qianfan (“Thousand Sails”) megaconstellation witnessed its fifth deployment of 18 satellites on March 11. A Long March 8 rocket from the newly established Hainan commercial spaceport facilitated this launch. The Qianfan project currently has 90 satellites in orbit and aims to have approximately 600 operational satellites by year-end. The complete system is projected to encompass 14,000 satellites. Spacesail, the operator, is actively pursuing international clientele.
Government Support for Commercial Space Initiatives
China’s recent government work report highlighted the commercial space sector as a burgeoning industry, emphasizing its crucial role in fostering innovation and advanced technological progress.
The inclusion of commercial space in the 2024 work report for the first time has spurred major cities and provinces to initiate supportive action plans for the sector. Provincial administrations are instrumental in providing funding and policy frameworks, aligning with broader national strategic objectives.
Investment in Reusable Rocket Technology
Chinese launch startups iSpace and Deep Blue Aerospace have secured new capital to further their reusable rocket programs. iSpace concluded a Series D funding round to facilitate the development of its Hyperbola-3 reusable launch vehicle. The company aims to achieve its first orbital launch, landing, and sea landing trial in December 2025, alongside establishing new facilities in Sichuan province. Deep Blue Aerospace has also obtained fresh funding to accelerate the progression of its Nebula-1 rocket, with an orbital launch and recovery attempt anticipated by mid-2025. Local investment entities participated in both funding rounds, seeking to strengthen regional aerospace ecosystems.
Future Outlook
China has yet to officially disclose its comprehensive spaceflight plans for 2025, although a significant increase in constellation launches is anticipated. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the nation’s primary space contractor, typically releases an overview of annual plans in January or February but has not yet done so for the current year.
China initially aimed for approximately 100 launches in the previous year but ultimately conducted 68, a national record. Consequently, an objective exceeding 100 launch attempts in 2025 is plausible, with constellation deployments expected to be a prominent feature. With several launches executed in recent weeks and more scheduled throughout the spring and subsequent periods, China has already surpassed double the launch count compared to the same period in 2024.
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