The Chinese Jiuguan Satellite Launch Center, located in Gobi desert today was busy with China launching a new series of Internet Technology test Satellites early on Tuesday.
SAST, the Chinese State owned rocket maker, while announcing the successful launch of the rocket to a pre-determined orbit, revealed that the 2D rocket’s payload was an Internet Technology Test Satellite.
This satellite will mainly be used for technical testing and verification for direct to cell satellite broadband, and for space-ground network integration. SAST did not provide extra information and images to back up this claim.
The Zang Cheng 2D rocket, according to SAST was developed by the eighteenth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
According to the Radio Management Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the rocket carried four internet test satellites, and will operate on Ka and other four frequency band payloads.
The Internet Satellite Test Program
Today’s Launch Marked the sixth time that China is conducting the test. The first successful launch of such mission was on July 2023. For Each mission, the launch vehicle carried between one and three such satellites. The just immediate launch before today used the new March 12 rocket, in November 2024.
These tests are in preparation of China to venture into low earth orbit mega constellation, challenging Elon Musk’s SpaceX company.
Already, Chinese Gouwang and Qianfan have internet technology test satellites in space making progresses.
More to be added…