China Sends First High-Orbit Internet Satellite into Space
China sent its very first “high orbit” internet satellite into space on Thursday, aiming to provide internet services to China and nearby regions.
The satellite was launched aboard a Long March 3B/G rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China at 8:03 a.m. Eastern time on Feb. 29. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) quickly confirmed the successful launch within an hour.
The satellite, named High Orbit Satellite Internet-01 (Weixing Hulianwan Gaogui-01), was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a major spacecraft manufacturer. While initial reports didn’t provide many details about the satellite, it’s intended to operate in orbits above low Earth orbit, providing internet coverage to China and areas along the “Belt and Road” initiative.
China is also working on two low Earth orbit satellite internet projects, the Guowang program and the G60 Starlink constellation, which could significantly increase the demand for space launches. In fact, China plans to conduct around 100 launches this year, with approximately 70 launches by CASC and 30 by commercial launch providers.
Among the major missions planned for this year are crewed and cargo missions to the Tiangong space station, as well as the launch of the Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite to support the Chang’e-6 lunar sample return mission.
This launch marks China’s 10th of 2024, reflecting the country’s ambitious goals in space exploration and satellite technology.