China has successfully advanced its ambitious space-based internet infrastructure with the deployment of a new satellite cluster on December 26, 2025. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the flawless launch operation conducted from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wenchang at 7:26 AM local time.
The mission utilized the Long March 8A carrier rocket, a sophisticated launch vehicle developed domestically by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. This 50.5-meter rocket, boasting a liftoff weight of 371 metric tons and generating approximately 480 tons of thrust, successfully delivered the latest batch of internet satellites to their designated low Earth orbits.
These satellites represent the seventeenth installment in China’s expanding state-operated internet satellite network. Designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology, a Beijing-based subsidiary of CASC, the new additions bring the total operational count in the constellation to over 130 satellites following this deployment.
The Long March 8A has demonstrated particular proficiency in transporting payloads to sun-synchronous orbits, capable of delivering up to 7 metric tons to orbits approximately 700 kilometers above Earth. This mission marked both the 90th Chinese space endeavor of the year and the 620th overall flight for the Long March rocket series, representing the sixth dedicated deployment of internet satellites using the Long March 8A platform.