China Launches Four Satellite Internet Test Satellites on Long March 2D from Xichang
Summary: At 02:07 UTC on May 31, 2026 (10:07 AM Beijing Time), China successfully launched four satellite internet technology test satellites using a Long March 2D rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The launch was confirmed successful with all satellites entering their designated orbits. This was the 646th flight of the Long March rocket series.
Mission Overview
The launch occurred at 02:07 UTC on May 31 (10:07 AM Beijing Time) when the Long March 2D rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, deploying four satellites in a "one rocket, four satellites" configuration. The mission was declared a complete success with all payloads reaching their intended orbits.
The satellites will primarily conduct trials for direct-to-cell satellite broadband communications and integrated satellite-terrestrial network technologies, marking a significant step toward commercial satellite internet services accessible directly from standard smartphones.
Rocket and Satellites
The Long March 2D rocket was developed and manufactured by the Academy of Aerospace Launch Vehicle Technology (ALVT) under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It is a常温液体二级运载火箭 (常温 liquid-propellant two-stage launch vehicle) with a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit payload capacity of 1.3 tonnes. This mission featured a点式堆叠分离机构 (point-type stacked separation mechanism) and a 4.2-meter diameter payload fairing.
Among the four satellites launched, one was independently developed by Beijing LandSpace Hongqing Technology Co., Ltd. (蓝箭鸿擎科技), a private commercial aerospace company, representing an important milestone for private-sector participation in China's satellite internet development.
This launch was the 646th flight in the Long March rocket series.
Background
This was China's second launch of satellite internet technology test satellites in 2026. On April 24, 2026, the Long March 2D also successfully launched an identical batch of test satellites from Xichang, with one satellite developed by the commercial company Galaxy Energy (银河航天). As Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite technology matures, ordinary smartphones can connect directly to satellite broadband networks without specialized terminals, enabling voice, video, and data communications — a capability that is accelerating the buildout of China's satellite internet constellation.