China Launches 18 Satellites for G60 Starlink Plan via Long March-6 to Rival SpaceX

Aug 6, 2024, 08:57 AM

China has launched the first batch of satellites for its G60 Starlink Plan, a mega-constellation designed to rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The launch, led by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) and backed by the Shanghai government, took place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 06:44 UTC on August 6, 2024. The G60 Starlink Plan aims to deploy over 14,000 low Earth orbit satellites to provide near-global internet coverage. The initial launch included 18 Qianfan Xingzuo communications satellites, each weighing 300 kg. The satellites were sent into orbit via a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket, marking the 530th flight mission of the Long March rocket series. Six G60 launches are planned for the year. This initiative is part of China's broader strategy to develop its own version of Starlink and enhance its capabilities in the global satellite internet industry.