Chinese private rockets launch 18 satellites for Qianfan constellation in milestone mission

Consecutive Launches by LandSpace and Orienspace

On September 15, LandSpace's Zhuque-2 improved variant (Yao-7) successfully launched ten Qianfan constellation networking satellites into their intended orbits. The following day, Orienspace's Gravity-1 (Yao-3) placed eight additional Qianfan networking satellites and one Ultra-High-Speed Wireless Communication (EUHT) technology test satellite into orbit.

These two private rocket companies executed large-scale low-Earth orbit broadband internet constellation networking missions on consecutive days. The most significant development is that large-scale constellation networking tasks, previously handled by state-owned entities, have been entrusted to private rockets for the first time.

A Milestone for Private Commercial Space

The launch of the Zhuque-2 improved variant (Yao-7) marked the first time a Chinese private commercial space enterprise undertook a large-scale satellite internet constellation networking mission.

Private rockets had prior experience with constellation networking:

• The Ceres series of rockets (including sea-launch variants) has conducted seven networking launches for the "Tianqi" low-orbit IoT communication constellation, six of which were dedicated launches.
• Private rockets have also long undertaken launches for remote sensing satellites and experimental payloads.

However, in large-scale low-orbit broadband internet constellations like Qianfan and GW—which require multi-satellite launches, high frequency, and low-cost deployment—private rockets had not previously entered the formal networking phase.

Deploying ten official networking satellites in a single launch signifies that LandSpace has crossed the threshold from sporadic payload launches to batch delivery for large-scale constellation networking.

Gravity-1 Sea Launch Confirms the Trend

Gravity-1 followed closely with a sea launch, further proving that this was not an accidental breakthrough by a single company. According to Orienspace, this was the world's first low-orbit broadband internet constellation networking mission implemented via mobile sea launch. The net payload for this mission was approximately 3.1 tons, setting new records for China's single sea-launch payload weight and orbital altitude.

Note on Payload Composition

The EUHT technology test satellite carried on the same rocket was developed by New岸line (Beijing) Technology Group and does not belong to the Qianfan constellation. Therefore, the two private rocket missions actually added 18 satellites to the Qianfan constellation, increasing its on-orbit count from 238 to 256. This leaves 68 satellites short of the first-phase global networking target of 324 satellites by the end of 2026.

Shifting Transport Capacity Sources

The significance of these 18 satellites lies not only in catching up on networking progress but also in changing the source of transport capacity for the Qianfan constellation. Previously, all scaled-up networking launches were performed by Long March series rockets. After the consecutive deliveries by LandSpace and Orienspace, private rockets began transitioning from carriers for IoT, remote sensing, and sporadic commercial payloads to service providers for large-scale low-orbit broadband internet constellation networking.

Three Launches in Three Days

On September 17, the state-owned Long March 12 completed the launch of the 25th group of low-orbit satellite internet satellites. This constellation is commonly known in the industry as the GW constellation.

Centered around the Qianfan and GW satellite internet constellations, state-owned entities and two private companies completed three networking launches within three days.

These three missions did not involve jointly building the same satellite network:

• Zhuque-2 improved variant and Gravity-1 served the Qianfan constellation.
• Long March 12 undertook the GW constellation mission.

The so-called "state team + commercial team" dynamic currently reflects a redivision of labor on the launch supply side: state-owned entities continue to bear the main burden for national-level constellations, while private rockets begin to take on networking demands for large commercial constellations.

Behind the Division of Labor: Transport Capacity Pressure

Behind this division of labor is the transport capacity pressure brought about by the simultaneous acceleration of the two major low-orbit constellations. Constellation networking requires stable supply over several years. Whether rockets can enter this market depends on four hard metrics:

1. Payload capacity
2. Price
3. Launch frequency
4. Continuous reliability

In recent years, the primary goal of private rocket competition was to complete maiden flights and achieve orbit, solving the question of "can we launch?" As large constellations enter intensive networking phases, clients are now evaluating whether rockets can:

• Produce according to schedule
• Achieve continuous success
• Deploy more satellites per launch
• Reduce unit cost-to-orbit

The competitive standard has shifted from technical verification to industrialized delivery.

Multi-Satellite Deployment Capability Proven

What the Zhuque-2 improved variant and Gravity-1 passed this time is precisely the hurdle of multi-satellite deployment capability:

• Zhuque-2 improved variant: Completed the deployment of ten communication satellites at a 900-kilometer orbit.
• Gravity-1: Delivered over 3 tons of payload to an 800-kilometer orbit.

The consecutive fulfillment of contracts by two types of commercial rockets using different propellants and launch methods indicates that large-scale low-orbit broadband internet constellations now have available transport capacity outside of state-owned entities.

Challenges Ahead

However, entering the supply chain does not mean securing a dominant position. Currently:

• There are still limited private rockets capable of stably executing multi-satellite networking missions.
• Reusable rockets have not yet widely entered routine commercial operations.
• A single success only proves capability for a specific mission; sustained order acquisition depends on subsequent launch frequency, costs, and success rates.

Going forward, what may determine the industry landscape is who can consistently secure large constellation orders and transform rocket production and launching into repeatable delivery processes.

Conclusion

Private rockets have entered the networking market for large-scale low-orbit broadband internet constellations. In the next phase, they may compete over how final networking orders are allocated.

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