On July 4, 2026, a Long March 6A rocket successfully deployed 18 low Earth orbit communication satellites for the SpaceSail Polar Group #13 mission. The satellites, equipped with Ku, Q, and V band payloads, will form part of the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies. This constellation represents a significant expansion of China's commercial satellite communications capabilities, with funding support from the Shanghai municipal government backing the ambitious megaconstellation project.

The Long March 6A vehicle lifted off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province at 09:30 UTC. Taiyuan, one of China's primary satellite launch facilities, provides optimal positioning for polar and sun-synchronous orbital insertions. The successful deployment marked another milestone in the vehicle's operational record as a medium-lift launcher designed for small to medium-sized satellite payloads.

The SpaceSail Polar Group #13 mission contributes to the broader G60 constellation development timeline, which aims to achieve an initial operational constellation of 1,296 satellites by 2027. Shanghai Spacesail Technologies has announced long-term expansion plans to eventually build out the constellation to 12,000 satellites, positioning it as a competitor in the growing global market for broadband and communications megaconstellations.