China Launches 18 Qianfan Satellites to Expand Spacesail Constellation

China's Long March-2 Y2 (Kinetica 2 Y2) rocket launched 18 Qianfan internet satellites on Tuesday, replenishing the Spacesail Constellation. This continues China's rapid buildout of its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, intensifying competition with Starlink. The launch underscores China's progress in space-based internet infrastructure, with implications for global connectivity and tech rivalry.

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