China launches 18 more satellites for ‘G60 Starlink’ constellation... aiming for communication services by 2025

 

 

 

 

China successfully launched 18 satellites as part of the "G60 Starlink" project, a large-scale satellite constellation initiative.

The launch took place at 7 a.m. on October 15 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province, using the Long March-6A rocket to send the satellites into orbit.

The satellites launched on this day are designed with a flat panel shape, specifically designed to allow multiple satellites to be carried on a single rocket.

About two hours after the satellite launch, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) officially announced the success of the launch.

The operation of the G60 constellation is managed by “Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology” (SSST), a company under the Shanghai government.

This launch marks the second deployment of the G60 satellites, with the first launch taking place on August 6.

At that time, 18 satellites were also launched, but the upper stage of the Long March-6A rocket exploded in orbit, generating over 700 pieces of space debris.

The G60 constellation is expected to consist of a total of 12,000 satellites, of which 1,296 will be deployed in polar orbit during the first phase.

A total of 108 satellites are scheduled to be launched by 2024, and China aims to launch 648 satellites by the end of 2025, providing communication services to China and surrounding regions.

The satellites will operate using Ku, Q, and V-band frequencies.

The Long March-6A rocket used in the G60 project was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) and uses a core stage fueled by kerosene and liquid oxygen along with solid fuel boosters.

This rocket can carry a maximum payload of 4,500 kg to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit.

This mission was China’s 48th rocket launch in 2024.

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China launches 18 more satellites for ‘G60 Starlink’ constellation... aiming for communication services by 2025