China Advances Guowang Internet Constellation with Latest Satellite Launch

China has launched the eighth batch of satellites for its Guowang internet constellation, lifting off on Aug. 13 aboard a Long March 5B rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center. Operated by state-owned China SatNet, Guowang aims to deploy about 13,000 satellites in low Earth orbit to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. Each launch so far has carried only eight to ten relatively large satellites. The mission marks the fourth Guowang launch in less than three weeks, underscoring China’s push to accelerate global broadband coverage and strengthen its position in the satellite-internet market.