China launches high-orbit internet satellite

By Emre Aytekin

BEIJING (AA) - China has sent the first of the internet satellites it plans to position in High Earth Orbit into space.

According to a statement made by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the satellite named "High Earth Orbit Satellite Internet-01" was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province with a Long March-3B rocket.

The satellite settled into its planned orbital position after the launch.

The launch was the 510th successful transportation mission with Long March rockets.

China is already using ChinaSat communications satellites positioned in the Geostationary Orbit.

The country aims to create constellation networks in Low Earth Orbit similar to the Starlink internet satellite network of the US space technology company SpaceX.

Under the "Guovang" project, of which CASC is the prime contractor, 13 satellites are planned to be positioned in Low Earth Orbit.

Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) also aims to build a mega constellation network called "G60" in Low Earth Orbit.

*Writing by Gokhan Ergocun from Istanbul