At 1939 Hours Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 4 June 2026 , China- People’s Republic of China- CNSA –China National Space Administration Successfully launched Chang Zheng – Long March 6A At 19:39 Beijing time on June 4, 2026, China successfully launched the Qianfan Polar Orbiting Satellite 11 into its predetermined orbit using a Long March-6A carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The launch mission was a complete success. This mission marked the 648th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets.
1. Key Facts of the Launch Mission
The key parameters for this launch mission are as follows:
- Launch time : 19:39 on June 4, 2026
- Launch site : Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
- Launch Vehicle : Long March 6A Launch Vehicle
- Launch method : “One rocket carrying 18 satellites”, simultaneously sending 11 Qianfan polar-orbiting satellites into their predetermined orbits.
- Satellite Status : All satellites are in normal condition and have successfully entered their designated orbits.
- Launch result : Mission a complete success146
- A milestone for the Long March series : This was the 648th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets.
- Constellation size update : The number of satellites in orbit in the Qianfan constellation has increased to 182.
2. Launching rocket: Long March 6A
The rocket’s key information includes:
- Research and development unit : The Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was responsible for the overall research and development.
- Rocket configuration : A new generation of solid-liquid coupled medium-lift launch vehicle1814
- Carrying capacity :
- The payload capacity to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers is no less than 4.5 tons.
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- The payload capacity to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers is no less than 6.5 tons.
- Launch adaptability : It can meet diverse and dense launch requirements such as single-satellite, multi-satellite tandem, parallel, stacked, wall-mounted, and mounted launches.
- Launch services : The launch services for the Qianfan Polar Orbit 11 satellite constellation were provided by China Great Wall Industry Corporation, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, as the general contractor
3. Current Status of Qianfan Constellation Network
The Qianfan constellation has recently entered a period of intensive launches, with the following specific batches:
| batch | Launch date | Networked satellites | launch vehicle | launch site |
| Group 11 | June 4, 2026 | Qianfan Polar Orbit 11 Satellites | Long March 6A | Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center |
| Group 10 | June 1, 2026 | Qianfan Polar Orbit 08 Satellite Group | Long March 12B | Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone |
| Group 9 | May 17, 2026 | The 9th batch of Qianfan constellation networking satellites | Long March 8 | Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site |
| Group 7 | April 7, 2026 | The seventh batch of Qianfan constellation networking satellites | Long March 8 | Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site |
| Summary of network deployment progress : |
- Since April 2026, the Qianfan constellation has completed the deployment of its 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th satellite groups in just two months, significantly accelerating the network deployment speed.
- On June 1, the Long March 12B carrier rocket successfully completed its maiden flight at the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, becoming another main rocket for the Qianfan constellation network.
- The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone, and other launch sites have all undertaken the Qianfan constellation launch missions.
4. Focus of Public Attention
This launch has attracted widespread attention, with key focuses including:
- The “Chinese version of Starlink” is taking shape rapidly : The media generally regards the Qianfan constellation as the Chinese version of “Starlink”, and many media outlets have reported on it with the “accelerated formation of the network” as the core, highlighting the speed of satellite internet construction.
- The spectacular aerial spectacle resonated with many : a photographer captured the image of the Long March 6A rocket soaring through the twilight, trailing a red and white rocket cloud, which was described as “a romance unique to us.” Some netizens also shared their experiences of witnessing the rocket’s launch contrail.
- Nationwide praise for space achievements : CCTV News, People’s Daily Online, China Aerospace News and many other authoritative media outlets have reported on the achievements, and the topics “#ThumbsUpForChinaAerospace#” and “#ChinaSuccessfullyLaunchesThousandSailsPolarOrbiting11GroupSatellites#” have become hot topics of discussion online.
- Public sentiment is positive and diverse : Based on the public opinion reactions after previous launches, the mainstream views of netizens include: feeling proud of the successful launch, looking forward to accelerating the deployment to achieve global coverage, believing that commercial space launch capabilities have matured, supporting the construction of an independent and controllable space broadband network, and feeling grateful for the strong national power that safeguards peaceful life.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned Space CNSA-China National Space Administration
