STARLINK CHALLENGER: China launches first flat-panel comsats atop Long March-6A to rival SpaceX

BOOM: China has launched the first batch of broadband satellites, challenging Starlink, as it begins constructing a low Earth orbit (LEO) mega-constellation of 14,000 satellites. LAUNCH at 0644 UTC of CZ-6A from Taiyuan with 18 Qianfan Xingzuo communications satellites. The satellites are similar to the V1 Starlinks, with flat-panel morphology and a mass of 300 kg each. This 'G60' constellation is planned to eventually have 14000 satellites. Liftoff at 06:44UTC on August 06, Long March 6A launched the first group of 18 G60 satellites from Taiyuan. This is China's first launch of LEO mega constellation. 6 G60 launches planned for the year. #chinaspace #LongMarch6A #QianfanXingzho