China launches new satellite group for commercial constellation

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on June 4, 2026. The satellite group was launched at 7:39 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. It will constitute the Spacesail Constellation, a mega commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network. This launch marked the 648th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, according to the launch center. (Photo by Shang Yuhang/Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China sent a new satellite group into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Thursday.

The satellite group was launched at 7:39 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket and entered its preset orbit successfully. It will constitute the Spacesail Constellation, a mega commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network.

This launch marked the 648th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, according to the launch center.

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on June 4, 2026. The satellite group was launched at 7:39 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. It will constitute the Spacesail Constellation, a mega commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network.

This launch marked the 648th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, according to the launch center. (Photo by Shang Yuhang/Xinhua)

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on June 4, 2026. The satellite group was launched at 7:39 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. It will constitute the Spacesail Constellation, a mega commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network.

This launch marked the 648th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, according to the launch center. (Photo by Shang Yuhang/Xinhua)

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on June 4, 2026. The satellite group was launched at 7:39 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. It will constitute the Spacesail Constellation, a mega commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network.

This launch marked the 648th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, according to the launch center. (Photo by Shang Yuhang/Xinhua)