Guowang ,[1] officially Satellite Internet Series Satellites [2] is a Chinese low-Earth orbit satellite internet megaconstellation to create a system of worldwide internet coverage. It was created by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), a state-owned enterprise backed by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST). The project was started in 2022 as a rival to the Starlink satellite constellation installed by SpaceX, and plans to be constituted of over 13,000 satellites by the project's end.
Around 6,000 of the planned satellites are expected to orbit between 500 and 600 km, comparable to Starlink, and around 7,000 in a higher orbit at around 1,145 km.[3] All satellites launched so far have been placed in the higher orbits, in 2 shells, one with inclination of 86.5° at 1.175 km and a second with 50.0° inclination at 1.156 km.
As of October 2025, the program has launched 18 experimental series satellites,[4] 3 high Earth orbit satellites and 154 low Earth orbit satellites.[5] The megaconstellation is managed by China SatNet and is believed to have both civilian and military applications.[6]
Satellites launch statistics
Operational LEO satellites launched
Other related satellites launched
List of launches
Operational LEO satellites
Other related launches
See also
References
- https://spacenews.com/china-is-developing-plans-for-a-13000-satellite-communications-megaconstellation^
- Eduardo Baptista. China will launch first satellites of constellation to rival Starlink, newspaper reports Reuters, August 6, 2024, retrieved 11 August 2024^
- The Space Review: Developing and testing China's Guowang constellation^