According to Xinhua News Agency, a group of satellites was launched by the Long March 5B booster rocket and the Expedition 2 upper stage from the Wenchang spaceport in southern China at 6:00 p.m. on December 16. Afterwards, the satellite group reached low earth orbit as expected.
The first Guo Yong constellation satellite was launched by a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang space launch pad in southern China on December 16, 2024.
The satellites entered their intended orbits and the mission was declared a success. Chinese state media does not announce the exact number of satellites launched.
The name Quoc Vong was first mentioned in 2020 when China submitted an application to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for a satellite constellation project consisting of nearly 13,000 satellites. This is also considered the version that China uses to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink (USA).
This giant “constellation” will provide global broadband internet services, while also meeting China’s national security goals. Besides the Quoc Vong project, other large-scale Chinese projects are being implemented, including the Thien Pham project with 14,000 satellites, the 12,992 satellite constellation of China Satellite Network, the 10,000 satellite constellation of Lanjian Aerospace.
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According to Space NewsChina is currently expanding its domestic spaceports to facilitate higher launch speeds and more diverse launch vehicles to realize its satellite deployment plan. The construction of increased satellite constellations may impact the management of space traffic, space junk, astronomy, as well as create significant geopolitical influence.
