China launches another 18 Qianfan internet satellites
China today successfully launched 18 more Qianfan internet satellites (also called SpaceSail), its Long March 8 rocket lifting off from its coastal Wenchang spaceport.
Though China’s state run press did not reveal the number of satellites launched, other sources said the rocket placed 18 satellites into orbit. If so, there are now 173 Qianfan satellites in space, out of a planned constellation of as many as 12,000. The first phase of the constellation however only requires 648, which China hopes to reach before the end of the year.
The leaders in the 2026 launch race:
57 SpaceX
28 China
8 Russia
6 Rocket Lab
For the third straight year SpaceX leads the entire world combined in total launches, 57 to 49.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
China today successfully launched 18 more Qianfan internet satellites (also called SpaceSail), its Long March 8 rocket lifting off from its coastal Wenchang spaceport.
Though China’s state run press did not reveal the number of satellites launched, other sources said the rocket placed 18 satellites into orbit. If so, there are now 173 Qianfan satellites in space, out of a planned constellation of as many as 12,000. The first phase of the constellation however only requires 648, which China hopes to reach before the end of the year.
The leaders in the 2026 launch race:
57 SpaceX
28 China
8 Russia
6 Rocket Lab
For the third straight year SpaceX leads the entire world combined in total launches, 57 to 49.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
After the military frivolities before May 16, Space port Andøya is seemingly open for civilian use:
TRIGGER NOTAM – AIP AIRAC SUP 25/2026 WEF 14 MAY 2026.
TEMPO DANGER AREA END490 GARRET ESTABLISHED IN CONNECTION WITH
ACTIVITIES FROM ANDOYA SPACE. SUP AVBL AT http://WWW.AVINOR.NO/AIS/
This annoy the local fishermen because hundreds of their boats have to be removed beforehand from the ‘drop zone’ in case the rocket fails.
I believe the name is “Qian fan” (千帆), “thousand sails”
Andi: I realize “Thousand Sails” is how the constellation has also been referred to, but it now seems more common to call it “SpaceSail” in the Chinese press.
Robert, I was referring to the Chinese rather than the English. You have “quian” rather than “qian”. No argument re the Engish.
Andi: Oy. I did not even notice that extra “u.” Fixed. Thanks!