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2022: Launch of the first Mini-spider Constellation satellites
On March 5, 2022, China launched a set of commercial satellites to test broadband services, create orbital networks and integrate communication technologies, as well as remote sensing. Each satellite has a mass of 190 kg and is capable of transmitting data at a speed of 40 Gbit/s (this is five times more than Starlink). The experimental satellite network was called Mini-spider Constellation.
The Long March 2C rocket took off from the Xichang Cosmodrome in southwestern China at 1:01 a.m. on March 5, 2022, delivering six satellites for the private Galaxy Space and another Xingyuan-2 remote sensing satellite for the SpaceWish startup. On March 6, 2022, US space tracking equipment detected seven objects launched into orbits approximately 500 by 480 km in size. The launch also involved Four Squares Technology and a 3D printing machine CubeSat from COSATS.
Six satellites of the private company Galaxy Space received the designations GS-2, GS-AP01, GS-AP02, GS-AP03, GS-2BP01, GS-2BP02, as well as secondary names thanks to sponsorship. It is noteworthy that the satellite can play an important role in the development of the Chinese plan to create a national low-orbit broadband megaconstellation controlled by China's state-owned enterprise, according to SpaceNews.
 | These six satellites will form an experimental network combining communications and remote sensing. When the entire experimental network is formed, it will be tested in various application scenarios. It will also be the first technical test for the Chinese low-orbit constellation of broadband satellites, "said Galaxy Space co-founder Chang Ming. |  |
According to SpaceNews, in the end it is planned to launch 144 satellites from Galaxy Space into orbit. The company raised at least $14.5 million as an investment and is reportedly estimated at $1.2 billion as of March 2022. Galaxy plans to produce about 200 to 500 satellites per year.
The plans of private groups, according to the publication SpaceNews, were included in the national plan of China to create a broadband group. Testing the characteristics of satellites in orbit, as well as supply chains and mass production capabilities, can allow China to make a great contribution to the project. This launch was the fifth for China in 2022, while the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) plans to carry out more than 50 launches by the end of 2022.[1]
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