megaconstellations Archives - Page 3 of 18 - SpaceNews

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

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

by Andrew Jones January 7, 2025January 7, 2025

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

Satellite manufacturer for Chinese megaconstellation secures $137 million funding

by Andrew Jones December 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.

China kicks off Guowang megaconstellation with Long March 5B launch

by Andrew Jones December 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

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

by Andrew Jones December 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.

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

by Andrew Jones December 5, 2024December 5, 2024

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

China launches second batch of 18 satellites for Thousand Sails megaconstellation

by Andrew Jones October 15, 2024October 15, 2024

Illustration of orbital debris. Credit: IARPA

From the Magazine

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

by Jason Rainbow September 16, 2024

China to launch first satellites for megaconstellation in August

by Andrew Jones June 27, 2024June 27, 2024

Space Pioneer raises $207 million for reusable rocket

by Andrew Jones June 6, 2024June 6, 2024

Chinese firm files plans for 10,000-satellite constellation

by Andrew Jones May 27, 2024May 27, 2024