Long March 6 Launches 18 Qianfan Satellites, Expanding Chinas G60 Constellation
Summary: China successfully launched 18 Qianfan (G60) constellation satellites on a Long March 6 rocket, advancing its domestic LEO broadband communications network.
On July 1, 2026, China launched 18 Qianfan constellation satellites into their designated orbits using a Long March 6 rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The mission marks another batch deployment for the Qianfan program — also known as the G60 Starlink-equivalent project — further expanding the in-orbit capacity of China's domestic LEO broadband communications network.
The Qianfan constellation is spearheaded by Shanghai GCSAT Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. and aims to establish a global low-Earth orbit broadband communications network. It is a key component of the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and is widely regarded as China's primary answer to international LEO internet satellite initiatives. The one-rocket, 18-satellite configuration continues the batch launch approach used in earlier missions, enabling faster constellation buildout.
The Long March 6 is a three-stage liquid-fueled launch vehicle developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a subsidiary of CASC. It has become the workhorse for Qianfan deployment missions in recent years, leveraging its multi-satellite dispensing capability. Previous batches have steadily increased the constellation's orbital population, and this latest mission provides additional engineering heritage for even larger deployments ahead.
Specific orbital parameters and satellite operational status are expected to be confirmed by the launch authority in subsequent disclosures.