Archive · 21 Sep 2026
China Launches Four Rockets in 45-Hour Satellite Blitz
China launched four rockets in about 45 hours.
The rockets took off from three different places.
All four launches worked successfully.
Some satellites will watch Earth from space.
Others will help build a large Chinese internet satellite network called Qianfan.
LandSpace launched 10 Qianfan satellites using its Zhuque-2E rocket.
Orienspace launched nine more using its Gravity-1 rocket.
The launches show that China’s space industry is growing quickly.
Both government-linked organizations and private companies are taking part.
China launched four different orbital rockets from three launch sites between September 15 and 16.
All four missions succeeded and carried Earth-observation or broadband-constellation satellites.
LandSpace launched a Zhuque-2E rocket from Jiuquan with 10 Qianfan satellites.
Orienspace launched its Gravity-1 rocket from a sea-based platform near Shanghai with nine Qianfan satellites.
The rapid sequence reflects China’s expanding space sector and mix of state-owned and private launch providers.
- Who
- China, including LandSpace and Orienspace, conducted the launches.
- What
- Four orbital rockets successfully launched satellites, including Earth-observation satellites and Qianfan broadband-constellation satellites.
- When
- Between September 15 and 16, over roughly 45 hours.
- Where
- From three Chinese launch sites, including the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and a sea-based platform off Shanghai.
- Why
- The launches supported Earth observation and the Qianfan broadband megaconstellation, while demonstrating China’s expanding space sector.
- Launches
- Four different orbital rockets were launched.
- Time span
- Roughly 45 hours between September 15 and 16.
- Launch sites
- Three separate launch sites in China.
- First mission
- LandSpace’s Zhuque-2E launched at 2:26 a.m. EDT on September 15.
- First payload
- The Zhuque-2E carried 10 Qianfan satellites into low Earth orbit.
- Second mission
- Orienspace’s Gravity-1 launched at 6 p.m. EDT on September 15.
- Second payload
- Gravity-1 carried nine Qianfan satellites into orbit.
- Qianfan goal
- The megaconstellation is expected to eventually have around 15,000 active satellites if the program proceeds as planned.