China has successfully launched 18 satellites into orbit aboard its Lijian-2 Y2 carrier rocket, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to expand its commercial satellite internet network.
The rocket lifted off at 8:15 a.m. Beijing Time on Tuesday from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, delivering the satellites of the Spacesail Constellation into their planned orbits.
The mission marked the first time the Lijian-2 rocket had been used for a large-scale satellite internet constellation deployment.
Developed independently by CAS Space, the Lijian-2 is a liquid-fuelled carrier rocket designed with a universal booster core configuration. It can carry payloads of up to eight tonnes into a 500-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit and 12 tonnes into a 200-kilometre low Earth orbit.
According to CAS Space, the launch was the rocket’s second flight and the 18th mission of the Lijian series.
The company said rockets in the series have so far delivered one spacecraft and 139 satellites into space, with a combined payload mass exceeding 27 tonnes. The programme has also served nearly 40 domestic and international customers.
The latest launch highlights China’s growing investment in commercial space technology and satellite infrastructure, particularly low Earth orbit networks designed to support broadband internet connectivity, communications and other digital services.
The deployment is expected to contribute to the expansion of the Spacesail Constellation, strengthening China’s presence in the increasingly competitive global satellite internet sector.
