China launches nine GuoWang satellites on Long March 8A

China launched nine GuoWang internet satellites on Sunday, in the constellation’s 28th launch, taking the total number of GuoWang spacecraft in orbit to 231.

A Long March 8A rocket lifted off at 10:03am China time from Commercial Launch Pad 1 at the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site in Hainan, carrying the satellites into low Earth orbit, specialist tracker China in Space reported.

The GuoWang constellation is operated by China Satellite Network Group, a state-owned enterprise, which plans to provide worldwide internet connectivity. Domestic usage trials and agreements are under way ahead of a general rollout starting in China, the tracker said.

The satellites use the constellation’s small satellite platform, weighing about 695 kilograms each, and use electric propulsion to manoeuvre in orbit.

The Philippine Space Agency said debris from the launch may have fallen in Philippine waters, in drop zones near Patag Island, Bajo de Masinloc, El Nido and Busuanga in Palawan, and near Hadji Muhtamad, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and Pangutaran in Sulu. It advised the public not to retrieve suspected debris, which may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel, and to inform local authorities if any is seen.

China in Space said the constellation could reach up to 13,000 satellites in operational orbits in the 2030s.

Sources:

• China in Space: https://www.china-in-space.com/p/wenchang-hosts-another-guowang-launch
• GMA News / Philippine Space Agency: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1007087/china-rocket-debris-may-have-fallen-in-ph-waters-philsa/story/