megaconstellations – Page 2 – SpaceNews

A Long March 6A rocket climbs above the launch tower at Taiyuan amid plumes of exhaust and a blue sky backdrop.

Commercial, News

Chinese constellation operator Spacesail signs agreement with Measat of Malaysia

by Andrew JonesFebruary 7, 2025February 7, 2025

A dramatic nighttime launch of China's Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on December 16, 2024. Bright orange flames and thick clouds of white smoke illuminate the launchpad as the rocket ascends into the sky, carrying the first 10 satellites for the Guowang ('national net') low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation. Tall support towers frame the scene against the dark backdrop, highlighting the power and scale of the mission.

Civil, Military, News

China’s Guowang launch raises questions about satellite purpose and transparency

by Andrew JonesJanuary 7, 2025January 7, 2025

The second batch of Qianfan/Thousand Sails satellites launches on a Long March 6A rocket from Taiyuan, Oct. 15, 2024.

Commercial, News

Satellite manufacturer for Chinese megaconstellation secures $137 million funding

by Andrew JonesDecember 30, 2024December 30, 2024

A dramatic nighttime launch of China's Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on December 16, 2024. Bright orange flames and thick clouds of white smoke illuminate the launchpad as the rocket ascends into the sky, carrying the first 10 satellites for the Guowang ('national net') low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation. Tall support towers frame the scene against the dark backdrop, highlighting the power and scale of the mission.

Civil, Launch, News

China kicks off Guowang megaconstellation with Long March 5B launch

by Andrew JonesDecember 16, 2024December 16, 2024

Orange exhaust pushes a large Long March rocket from the pad at the coastal Wenchang spaceport, with white smoke billowing around lightning towers near the launch tower.

Civil, Launch, News

China set to launch first Guowang megaconstellation satellites on Long March 5B

by Andrew JonesDecember 11, 2024December 11, 2024

A Long March 6A rocket lifts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China, surrounded by four towering lightning rods, leaving a plume of dense white exhaust against a backdrop of a partly cloudy blue sky. The launch marks the deployment of the third batch of 18 Qianfan (Thousand Sails) satellites, a key step in China's ambitious low Earth orbit megaconstellation project, December 5, 2024.

Commercial, Launch, News

Long March 6A launches third batch of Thousand Sails constellation satellites

by Andrew JonesDecember 5, 2024December 5, 2024

The second batch of Qianfan/Thousand Sails satellites launches on a Long March 6A rocket from Taiyuan, Oct. 15, 2024.

Commercial, Launch, News

China launches second batch of 18 satellites for Thousand Sails megaconstellation

by Andrew JonesOctober 15, 2024October 15, 2024

Illustration of orbital debris. Credit: IARPA

Civil, From the Magazine

Connecting the dots | FCC’s space sustainability authority in question as need grows

by Dan RobitzskiSeptember 16, 2024September 6, 2024

Civil, Commercial, News

China to launch first satellites for megaconstellation in August

by Andrew JonesJune 27, 2024June 27, 2024

Commercial, Launch, News

Space Pioneer raises $207 million for reusable rocket

by Andrew JonesJune 6, 2024June 6, 2024