In today’s geopolitically charged environment, LEO satellite constellations represent more than mere communication networks—they are symbols of power and sovereignty, and vital for national security. In this context, strategic imperatives outweigh financial considerations. This is the backdrop for China’s ambitious push to develop its own satellite constellations. In this new space race, China’s mega-constellations are striving to close the gap with their Western counterparts. While detailed information on these projects remains scarce, I have sought to construct a cohesive overview of their current status and highlight the key factors influencing their evolution.
Early Initiatives: The Hongyan and Hongyun Projects
China’s initial plans for LEO constellations centered on the Hongyan and Hongyun projects, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), respectively. These constellations were relatively modest in scale, with Hongyan planned for 320 satellites and Hongyun for 156. Both launched test satellites in late 2018, but neither progressed to commercial deployment. Over time, references to these projects declined, giving way to newer, significantly larger initiatives.
The Rise of China’s Megaconstellations
China is actively developing several LEO constellations. A key distinction separates government-backed constellations, including those supported by regional governments, from privately funded initiatives. The major constellations include:
- Guowang (National Network): A 13,000-satellite constellation developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Guowang aims to provide broadband services to rural and remote areas. China Satellite Network Group (SatNet) was established in 2021 to operate Guowang, which has launched 29 satellites to date.
- Qianfan (Thousand Sails; formerly G60 Starlink): A 15,000-satellite constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies (formerly Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology – SSST). Qianfan secured 6.7 billion yuan ($943 million) in funding and is designed for polar orbit, with 32 planes of 36 satellites each. As of now, 90 satellites have been launched.
- Geespace: A 6,000-satellite constellation focused on IoT connectivity, positioning, timing, and imaging services, later expanding to direct-to-device satellite communications. Established in 2018 as a subsidiary of Geely, the automotive manufacturer behind Volvo and Lotus, Geespace satellites weigh approximately 100 kg. The constellation currently has 30 satellites in orbit.
- Honghu-3: A 10,000-satellite constellation planned by Hongqing Technology, a company founded in 2017 and linked to launch services provider Landscape. The project is in its early development phase, having filed with the ITU in May 2024 and raised 340 million yuan ($47 million) in February 2025 from state-affiliated investors.
- GalaxySpace (Yinhe Hangtian): A private startup founded in 2016, aiming to deploy 1,000 satellites for direct-to-device satellite services. The company has 8 satellites in orbit and recently completed a test call between a mobile handset and one of its satellites. It has raised funding from investors including China Construction Bank International, Anhui Sanzhongyichuang Industry Development Fund, Hefei Industry Investment, Sincere Fund, Legend Capital, and Chaos Investment. Judging deployment timelines in earlier reports suggests the company is running behind schedule.
- Commsat: Primarily known for design services, Commsat has been cited for its own constellation plans. While details remain scarce, its efforts appear to focus on IoT connectivity with a 72-satellite LEO constellation.
| Guowang (National Network) | Qianfan (Thousand Sails; G60 Starlink) | Geespace | Honghu-3 | GalaxySpace | Commsat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 12,992 | 15,000 (by 2030) 1,296 (Phase 1) | 6,000 | 10,000 | 1,000 | 72 |
| Service | Broadband | Broadband | IoT, D2D, PNT, Remote Sensing | Broadband | Broadband; D2D | M2M, IoT |
| Network operator | China Satellite Network Group (SatNet) | Shanghai Spacesail Technologies (formerly Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology) | Geespace (Geely subsidiary) | Beijing Landspace Hongqing Technology Co. | GalaxySpace | Commsat |
| Satellites in orbit (last launch) | 29 (4/25) | 90 (03/25) | 30 (9/24) | 2 (test satellites) | 8 (04/25) | 8 |
| Altitude (km) | 870 and 1,115 | 800 | 600 | N/A | 621-638 | N/A |
| Weight (kg) | Unknown; est. > 500 kg | 300 | 130 (est) | N/A | 227 | 100 |
| Clients/Partners | China Mobile | Telebras (Brazil); MEASAT (Malaysia); Thailand National Telecommunications | China Unicom; Azyan Telecom (Oman); Altel (Malaysia); Advanced Telecommunications Solutions and Services - ATSS (Saudi); Kazakhstan | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Industry insiders widely consider Qianfan (Thousand Sails) the most competitive Chinese LEO constellation, citing its market development activities and strategic partnerships. While Guowang has ambitious plans, reports on its progress remain scarce compared to other leading constellations. Nevertheless, Guowang must deploy 10% of its constellation by 2029 and 50% by 2032 to comply with ITU license requirements. Additionally, its satellite size—comparable to Starlink—positions it to offer diverse services and capabilities.
Overcoming Key Challenges
One of the most critical challenges facing China’s LEO constellations is the availability of high-capacity, cost-effective launch vehicles. These constellations rely on the Long March series of rockets, including Long March 5B, 5A, 6A, 2C, and 6, for launches into low Earth orbit. With the exception of Long March 5B, these rockets have lower payload capacities than SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Additionally, experts estimate that launch costs per kilogram to orbit are 4-6 times higher than SpaceX’s, raising concerns about cost efficiency. To address this, China is investing heavily in reusable rocket technology, with state-owned and private companies—such as Space Pioneer, Galactic Energy, Landspace, iSpace, and Deep Blue—actively developing VTVL reusable rockets.
Another major challenge is manufacturing capability, not only for initial constellation deployment but also for long-term replenishment. Recognizing this need, the Shanghai Micro Satellite Engineering Center has reportedly established a standardized modular satellite production line capable of producing 300 satellites per month. As the ecosystem surrounding these constellations evolves, further advancements in mass production and efficiency are expected.
Looking Ahead
While China currently lags behind Western LEO constellations, it is only a matter of time before its planned networks mature alongside a more robust launch and manufacturing ecosystem. As China works to close the gap with SpaceX’s high standards, its constellations are also driving new innovations. Notably, China has been at the forefront of quantum key distribution (QKD) experiments from LEO satellites, demonstrating advancements in free-space optical and secure data transmission.
The integration of quantum capabilities into satellite constellations could further enhance data security and resilience, marking a significant step in the evolution of global space-based communications.