China advanced its satellite internet ambitions on Tuesday (April 7) with the successful launch of a Long March-8 rocket from Hainan Province. The mission delivered 18 networking satellites into low-Earth orbit, marking the seventh batch deployed for the Qianfan Constellation project.
The launch occurred at 9:32 p.m. local time at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site, with all payloads confirmed to have reached their preset orbits. State media Xinhua reported this mission represents the 636th flight of China's Long March rocket series since its inception.
"This launch accelerates our timeline for creating a competitive space-based internet infrastructure," a spokesperson from the project team stated. The Long March-8 rockets are now poised to enter a high-frequency launch phase throughout 2026, supporting China's strategic push to establish comprehensive satellite network coverage.
The Qianfan Constellation aims to enhance global connectivity solutions, particularly for remote regions, while strengthening China's technological footprint in space infrastructure development.
