China has successfully launched a new experimental satellite aimed at advancing space-based internet technology, as part of its ambitious plan to build a global satellite communications network.
The satellite was sent into orbit on Saturday aboard a Smart Dragon-3 rocket, which lifted off at 19:32 Beijing time from waters off the coast of Yangjiang in Guangdong Province, southern China.
The sea-based launch was carried out by the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, highlighting China’s expanding capabilities in maritime rocket launches.
The mission forms part of a broader national strategy to develop a large-scale satellite internet constellation in low Earth orbit. The project aims to deploy thousands of satellites to deliver high-speed global connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved regions lacking traditional infrastructure.
China has been accelerating launches since 2024 to expand the network, which is expected to exceed 15,000 satellites once fully operational. Analysts say the initiative positions China as a major competitor in the rapidly growing satellite internet market, alongside global efforts to provide worldwide broadband coverage from space.
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