On November 9, China successfully launched the 29th batch of low-orbit satellites for its satellite internet network from the Hainan Commercial Spaceport atop a Long March 12 carrier rocket. The satellites entered their planned orbits smoothly, and the launch mission was a complete success.
These low-orbit satellites are part of the GW constellation, deployed and operated by China Satellite Network Group. The GW constellation is China's first mega satellite internet project and the country's first space-air-ground integrated 6G internet initiative. It consists of two sub-constellations — GW-A59 and GW-A2 — which together will form a global internet satellite network. A direct-to-cell satellite communication service is expected to be introduced in the future. The GW constellation is planned to comprise a total of 12,992 satellites: 6,080 in the GW-A59 sub-constellation, deployed in ultra-low orbits below 500 km, and 6,912 in the GW-A2 sub-constellation, deployed in near-Earth orbits at an altitude of 1,145 km.