China Launches 23rd Group of Satellite Internet Satellites

China successfully launched its 23rd group of satellite internet low-orbit satellites on August 4, 2026, from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. The Long March 8A carrier rocket lifted off at 16:52 Beijing time, delivering the satellites into their planned orbit and marking a complete success for the mission, according to Xinhua News.

A Milestone for the Long March 8A

The launch represented the first full-system verification flight of the Long March 8A after completing a comprehensive performance upgrade. The rocket, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) First Academy, saw its overall carrying capacity further improved, with the total orbital weight setting a new record for this model, as reported by Science and Technology Daily.

The Long March 8A is China’s independently developed two-and-a-half stage liquid carrier rocket, featuring a 3.35-meter diameter liquid oxygen/kerosene core stage, a 3.35-meter diameter hydrogen-oxygen upper stage, two liquid boosters, and a 5.2-meter diameter fairing. The rocket was designed specifically to meet the deployment needs of medium and low Earth orbit satellite constellations.

‘Direct Express’ Breakthrough

One of the most significant achievements of this mission was the first-ever hour-level in-orbit coasting for a hydrogen-oxygen upper stage in China. The upper stage directly delivered the satellites to a 1,100-kilometer target orbit, implementing what Chinese space officials call the “direct express” function. This innovation can save satellites months of orbit-raising time compared to traditional launches, where satellites must use their own propulsion for multiple orbital maneuvers.

According to China News Service, the mission also achieved China’s first hour-level in-orbit coasting for a hydrogen-oxygen upper stage, marking a key step in the country’s long-duration in-orbit technology development. The satellites themselves were developed by CASC’s Fifth Academy.

Technical Innovations and Reliability

The rocket adopted electro-hydrostatic servo technology throughout its systems, simplifying the overall system composition while improving reliability and cost-effectiveness. The control and measurement systems achieved productized and integrated design, laying the groundwork for high-density launch operations and batch production applications.

This mission was the 661st flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets, according to the CASC official statement. The rocket was invested in by China Long March Rocket Co., Ltd., and the mission was organized by the China National Space Administration.

Accelerating Constellation Deployment

The launch is part of China’s rapid expansion of its satellite internet constellation, known as the GW constellation. This state-led project plans a total of 12,992 satellites, making it the second-largest planned low-orbit constellation globally, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink. The constellation uses a dual-layer architecture combining ultra-low orbit (below 500 km) and near-Earth orbit (1,145 km) to balance low latency and broad coverage.

China’s launch cadence has accelerated significantly in 2026, with groups 18 through 23 launched between January and August. The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site has become a primary hub for these satellite internet constellation launches, highlighting China’s investment in commercial space infrastructure.

Strategic Significance

The 2026 Government Work Report called for developing aerospace and low-altitude economy as emerging pillar industries and accelerating satellite internet development. The “15th Five-Year Plan” outline also included satellite internet infrastructure among its 109 major projects, underscoring the strategic importance of this program.

As MyDrivers noted, the upgraded Long March 8A rocket, with its enhanced carrying capacity and rapid orbit-insertion capability, is expected to play an increasingly important role in China’s high-density, batch constellation deployment efforts. The satellite internet industry in China reached approximately 45.4 billion yuan (about $6.3 billion) in 2025, with expectations of significant growth as the constellation becomes operational.

What’s Next

With the backbone network expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and full deployment targeted for 2035, China’s satellite internet program is entering a critical phase. The successful demonstration of the “direct express” capability and the rocket’s upgraded performance suggest that China is well-positioned to accelerate its constellation deployment and establish global broadband coverage in the coming years. The next launch group is expected to follow in the coming weeks as China continues its rapid cadence of satellite internet missions.