Deployment of Qianfan satellites is on hold due to troubleshooting of satellite issues.
The four satellites launched on September 16 were intended for internet technology testing and verification to further the capabilities of China’s GuoWang and Qianfan mega-constellations.
Space Pioneer was awarded a contract to support the Qianfan internet mega-constellation.
Space Pioneer was awarded a contract to launch a batch of eighteen Qianfan satellites, with the potential for more launches in the future.
Genesat’s primary mission is to develop and manufacture satellites for the Qianfan (Thousand Sails) low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation.
A fourth set of Qianfan satellites is scheduled to launch on a Long March 8 from the Hainan commercial space launch center around 2100 Eastern on 2024-12-22 (0200 UTC Dec. 23).
The Qianfan/Thousand Sails megaconstellation, based in Shanghai, has launched 54 satellites into orbit across three launches in 2024.
A fourth Qianfan/Thousand Sails launch could take place on a Long March 8 rocket from the Hainan commercial space launch center as soon as 2024-12-22 Eastern.
The Qianfan/Thousand Sails megaconstellation has launched 54 satellites into orbit across three launches in 2024.
Fifty-four spacecraft launched in 2024 were for the Qianfan/Thousand Sails megaconstellation.
The Qianfan/Thousand Sails and the Guowang constellations together plan to send more than 27,000 satellites into orbit.
The third batch of satellites for the Qianfan/Thousand Sails megaconstellation is expected to launch on a Long March 6A rocket late 2024-12-05 Eastern (Dec. 6 UTC) following an apparent scrubbed launch attempt on Dec. 2.
The third batch of satellites for the Qianfan/Thousand Sails megaconstellation is expected to launch on a Long March 6A rocket late 2024-12-03 Eastern.
China has multiple companies developing reusable medium-lift launch vehicles and plans for numerous commercial constellations, including the planned 14,000-satellite Qianfan (Thousand Sails) constellation.