Qianfan is a megaconstellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies Co. Ltd. with support from the Shanghai municipal government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Each Qianfan satellite is believed to weigh 300 kilograms and use a flat-pack design with a single solar array.
The launch carried a new Polar Group for the Qianfan constellation as its ninth overall deployment.
Qianfan is operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies Co Ltd.
Each Qianfan satellite uses an electric hall-effect thruster burning krypton that generates 20 millinewtons of thrust and has a specific impulse of 1,385 seconds.
The May 17 launch increased the Qianfan constellation’s total spacecraft count to 162.
Qianfan’s deployment plan targets 324 satellites launched in 2026, another 324 in 2027, 4,000 satellites in 2028 and 2029, and 5,000 satellites in 2030.
Qianfan aims to provide space-based internet connectivity services in China and abroad, including in Brazil, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and via airlines.
Eighteen Qianfan satellites were reportedly manufactured by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
China has approved Qianfan to operate 15,000 satellites in total.
Qianfan resumed routine deployment yesterday and is expected to gradually grow its satellite count throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.
Shanghai Spacesail Technologies must begin Qianfan services in Brazil before early 2028 under its deal with Telebras.
Qianfan services in Brazil could begin as soon as the fourth quarter of the year if enough satellites are in operational orbit.
Qianfan has agreements for services in Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye.
Shanghai Spacesail Technologies operates the Qianfan connectivity mega-constellation.
The launch increased the Qianfan constellation’s total spacecraft count to 144.
A Long March 6A launched 18 Qianfan satellites from Launch Complex 9A at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on May 12 at 19:59 China Standard Time.
The 18 satellites were deployed for Qianfan Polar Group 09, the constellation’s eighth batch.
Qianfan aims to provide space-based internet connectivity services in China and abroad, including Brazil, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and airline customers.
The Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences manufactured the 18 Qianfan satellites launched on May 12.