China Long March 8A Y11 Rocket Launch of GuoWang Constellation Satellites
A Long March-8A Y11 carrier rocket lifted off at 9:32 p.m. Beijing Time on September 23, 2026, from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site, sending the 26th group of low-orbit Internet satellites (SatNet LEO Group 26) into their designated orbit. Nine more GuoWang connectivity constellation spacecraft are in Earth orbit through this China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology mission.
The spacecraft group was manufactured at the state-owned China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). With today’s mission, 213 GuoWang spacecraft are in their operational orbits. This year, it is planned that 3101 satellites will 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 orbits.
The GuoWang constellation is operated by China Satellite Network Group, a state-owned enterprise and backed by the Chinese government. China Satellite Network Group plans to provide worldwide connectivity services; for now, China-focused services are the immediate priority.
GuoWang satellites launched atop of the Long March 8A and the Long March 12 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.
This mission was the 11th launch of a Long March 8A vehicle, the 18th launch of the Long March 8 series, and the 669th launch of the Long March launch vehicle series. This was also the 69th launch from China in 2026.
Date: Sept. 23, 2026
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