China launches Long March 8A rocket to deploy GuoWang satellites

A Long March 8A Y11 carrier rocket successfully launched from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on September 23, 2026. The mission deployed the 26th group of low-orbit Internet satellites, known as SatNet LEO Group 26, into their designated orbits.

This launch added nine more GuoWang connectivity constellation spacecraft to Earth orbit. The spacecraft were manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). With this latest mission, the total number of GuoWang spacecraft in operational orbits has reached 213.

The GuoWang constellation is operated by the state-owned China Satellite Network Group. While the immediate priority is providing China-focused services, the group aims to provide worldwide connectivity. The deployment plan is ambitious, with targets to deploy 3,101 satellites this year, 900 in 2027, and 3,600 annually starting in 2028. The long-term goal is to have up to 13,000 satellites in operational orbits by the 2030s.