SatNet: China launches Changzheng-12 rocket with 29 internet satellites

On November 8 at 23:24 Moscow time, the Changzheng-12 carrier rocket was successfully launched from the Hainan commercial spaceport. It successfully delivered 29 communication satellites into a designated low Earth orbit, intended for China's SatNet global satellite internet system.

• A successful launch of 29 communication satellites for the SatNet system took place on November 8 from the Hainan spaceport.
• All spacecraft were developed by the Fifth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
• The Changzheng-12 is a new generation rocket featuring liquid cryogenic engines and a 4-meter diameter.
• This mission marked the final low-orbit satellite launch program for China's internet system in 2026.

Technical features of the Changzheng-12 rocket

The Changzheng-12 carrier rocket represents a major milestone for China's space program, being the country's first single-stage carrier rocket with a diameter of 4 meters. Its total length reaches approximately 62 meters. It is powered by advanced liquid cryogenic engines developed by the commercial rocket division of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation with the participation of the Eighth Academy.

The payload capacity of the new launcher allows it to deliver at least 6 tons of cargo into a 700-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit. Depending on the mission requirements, the rocket can be equipped with payload fairings with a diameter of 4.2 or 5.2 meters, ensuring high flexibility for launching both single large spacecraft and entire satellite constellations into various orbits.

Development of the SatNet constellation

All 29 deployed spacecraft were designed by specialists from the Fifth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. This mission concluded the 2026 launch schedule for low-orbit communication satellites under the SatNet program, showcasing the rapid pace at which China is deploying its Starlink alternative.

It is worth noting that the current flight marked the 676th launch for the legendary Changzheng rocket family. Utilizing low Earth orbits instead of traditional geostationary orbits significantly reduces signal latency and provides superior broadband internet access capabilities.

Significance of the project for global communications

The expansion of China's SatNet satellite constellation is a direct response to the dominance of Western projects in global space-based internet. Low-orbit satellites are positioned much closer to the Earth's surface, which is critical for minimizing latency and establishing stable high-speed connectivity worldwide.

The successful deployment of medium and heavy-lift launchers like the Changzheng-12 strengthens China's position as a key player in commercial space exploration. In the long term, the development of such systems could profoundly reshape the telecommunications market by offering robust alternative communication channels for remote regions.