# China Launches Satellite Internet Test Satellites via Long March 2D
China carried out its latest satellite internet launch on April 1, 2025, sending four test satellites into orbit aboard a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert — marking the country's 17th orbital launch of 2025.
Four Satellites Lift Off from Jiuquan at Midnight
The mission lifted off at 12:00 a.m. Beijing Time (0400 UTC) from Jiuquan's northwest launch complex. All four satellites — designated 0001 through 0004 — successfully reached their designated orbital positions following separation from the rocket's upper stage.
Two satellites were provided by Changguang Satellite Technology Co. and two by Galaxy Space, both prominent players in China's commercial space sector. The satellites carry Ka-band and other frequency payloads designed for next-generation broadband connectivity.
Direct-to-Cell Broadband and Space-Ground Integration
According to Chinese space authorities, the mission is designed to conduct "technical tests and verification for direct-to-cell satellite broadband and space-ground network integration." The goal is to evaluate how mobile devices can connect directly to satellites without ground relay stations — a technology that rivals SpaceX's Starlink direct-to-cell capability.
This was the sixth mission in China's "satellite Internet technology test satellite" series. Previous launches in the programme occurred in July 2023 and November 2024, with each mission deploying between one and three satellites.
China's Broader LEO Internet Ambitions
The launch complements China's larger megaconstellation programmes — Guowang (SatNet), which plans to deploy up to 12,992 satellites, and Qianfan (Thousand Sails) — both aimed at providing sovereign, global broadband internet access and reducing dependence on foreign satellite infrastructure.
China has set an ambitious pace of orbital launches for 2025, targeting more than 100 missions across the year. The Long March 2D is manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) and has now accumulated over 100 flights in its operational history.
The April 1 mission demonstrates China's accelerating drive to develop competitive satellite internet technology and close the gap with Western operators such as SpaceX Starlink and Amazon Project Kuiper.
