China Long March 12 Launch of GuoWang Internet Constellation Satellites in Hainan
🚀 A China Long March 12 Y17 rocket lifted off at 10:44am Beijing Time (BJT) on June 17, 2026, from Hainan province's Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site with GuoWang SatNet low Earth orbit (LEO) Group 22 Internet satellites.
The nine satellites represent the twenty-second group for the the GuoWang constellation and were produced by the China Academy of Spaceflight Technology (CAST).
The GuoWang (国网) constellation is operated by China Satellite Network Group, a state-owned enterprise and backed by the Chinese government. The China Satellite Network Group plans to provide worldwide Internet services; for now, China-focused services are the immediate priority.
After today’s launch, 177 GuoWang spacecraft are in orbit, functioning in and heading up to their operational orbits. This year, 310 satellites are expected to be deployed, followed by 900 in 2027, and 3,600 every year beginning in 2028 to sustain and grow the constellation. In the 2030s, up to 13,000 satellites could be in operational orbit.
GuoWang satellites launched atop of the Long March 12 and the Long March 8A use the mega-constellations’ small satellite platform, weighing about 695 kilograms each. A large satellite platform, around thirty percent bigger and weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, is launched via the Long March 5B and Long March 6A. Both platforms utilize electric propulsion systems to maneuver in orbit, powered by two solar panels.
Starting with this mission, the Long March 12’s 5.2-meter-diameter fairing has been switched to a lighter carbon fiber composite material, according to the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. Improvements stated during previous flights have said that the launch vehicle has shed unnecessary weight as part of cost-optimization efforts while maintaining quality standards.
Another change implemented was the use of ‘high-energy’ kerosene in the second-stage and its two YF-115 engines.
This mission was the 6th launch of a Long March 12 vehicle, the 8th launch of the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology-supported Long March 12 series, and the 652nd launch of the Long March launch vehicle series. This was also the 42nd launch from China in 2026.
Guowang (国网), meaning "national network", is a state-sponsored low-Earth orbit satellite Internet constellation developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and managed by China. The goal is to create a system of worldwide Internet coverage. It was created by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), a state-owned enterprise backed by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
The Long March 12 (Chang Zheng 12, abbreviated as CZ-12 within China), is a Chinese medium-lift launch vehicle carrier rocket. Both stages use liquid fuel: refined kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX). The manufacturer is Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It is capable of placing at least 12 tonnes (26,000 lb) of payload in low Earth orbit and at least 6 tonnes (13,000 lb) in a 700 kilometers (430 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit. Its first launch took place on November 30, 2024, from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site on Hainan island.
Date: June 17, 2026
#NASA #Space #Earth #Satellites #InternetSatellites #GuoWangConstellation #国网 #China #中国 #Rockets #LongMarch12Y17Rockets #长征十二号运载火箭 #MediumLiftRockets #CAST #CASIC #SpaceTechnology #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #Wenchang #Spaceports #Hainan #STEM #Education
No comments:
Post a Comment