HELSINKI — Private Chinese satellite operator Geespace added 11 spacecraft to its expanding Internet of Things constellation Friday, aiming to boost low-power connectivity in key emerging markets.
A Jielong-3 solid propellant rocket lifted off at 12:31 p.m. Eastern (1631 UTC; 12:31 a.m. Beijing time, Aug. 9) Aug. 8 from the Dongfeng Haitaingang barge off the coast of Rizhao city in the eastern province of Shandong.
The launch sent 11 satellites into orbit for the Geely-04 constellation operated by Geespace, a private satellite maker and subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, an automotive conglomerate. U.S. Space Force space domain awareness cataloged the 11 satellites in roughly 583 by 602-kilometer altitude orbit inclined by 50 degrees.
The satellites are part of a planned 72-satellite first phase to provide near-global Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, with low power consumption and low bandwidth.
Geespace says it now has 41 satellites on orbit. This is expected to be swelled to 64 satellites across the next two months, according to a post-launch Geespace statement. The next satellites may also fly on two further Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3) rocket launches.
Geespace said it is actively expanding its global satellite IoT communications business, focusing on the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Earlier this year the company signed an agreement with Morocco’s Soremar Group to advance its applications in North Africa. Geespace also established a joint venture telecom operations company in Malaysia with ALTEL, and signed a memorandum of understanding with Advanced Telecommunications Solutions and Services (ATSS) of Saudi Arabia. In June 2024, Geespace completed a first overseas deployment test in Oman working with Azyan Telecom.
The company says it aims to establish the Geesatcom constellation for communication network connectivity. This, Geespace says, will be “dedicated to providing worldwide satellite application services for the future mobility.”
As well as IoT, the company has previously stated it wants to provide broadband connectivity with a 5,000-plus satellite constellation, as well as enhanced precision navigation signals for applications such as autonomous driving. The company began launching satellites in 2022, before the project apparently slowed.
The Jielong-3 rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of CASC, the country’s state-owned main space contractor. The four-stage rocket is operated by China Rocket, a commercial spinoff from CASC.
It has a length of approximately 31 meters, a weight of 140 tons at liftoff, and a payload capacity of 1,600 kg to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit. It was the sixth flight of the rocket, and the sixth success, with the first launch taking place in December 2022. The next two launches are currently scheduled for Aug. 20 and Sept. 2, which will also be sea launches from off the coast of Rizhao in the Yellow Sea.
Long March 12A at Haiyang?
Friday’s sea launch was facilitated by the Eastern maritime spaceport at Haiyang, Shandong province. The spaceport’s own post-launch statement noted that Haiyang aims to support further launches of the Jielong-3, Orienspace’s Gravity-1 and CALT’s Long March 11 before the end of the year, along with—notably—a launch of the Long March 12.
The liquid propellant Long March 12 has so far launched twice, most recently Aug. 4 from the Hainan commercial spaceport. It would mark the first liquid propellant launch at Haiyang and an expansion of capabilities and ambitions.
The announcement of a Long March 12 launch follows a launch and splashdown test in January from the Eastern maritime spaceport, with the outcome publicly unknown. This suggests the planned full launch could include an attempt to recover the first stage.
In June, winners of a bid to construct an offshore launch pad for liquid propellant rockets on the artificial island of Lianli off Haiyang, was announced. The project is to be completed within 150 days from the official commencement order.
Earlier Chinese media reports state that the Eastern maritime spaceport aims to support 100 launches per year starting from 2027.
Upcoming activity
The Jielong-3 launch was China’s 43rd orbital launch of 2025, following the aforementioned Long March 12 launch of satellites for the Guowang project Aug. 4.
A Long March 5B with a Yuanzheng-2 upper stage is scheduled to launch around 2:40 a.m. Eastern (0640 UTC) Aug. 13 from Wenchang spaceport. While the payload is as yet undisclosed, it is expected to be carrying a new batch of Guowang broadband satellites. Also at Wenchang, there is speculation of a possible static fire test for a Long March 10 first stage.
