# Long March 12 Successfully Launches SatNet LEO Group 24

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation successfully launched nine Low Earth Orbit communication satellites on August 16, 2026, as part of the SatNet constellation expansion. Operated by the China Satellite Network Group, these satellites represent the 24th batch deployment toward the planned megaconstellation of 13,000 orbital assets. The SatNet system aims to provide global broadband coverage and advanced communications infrastructure, positioning China as a major competitor in the emerging satellite internet market alongside existing international operators.

The Long March 12 rocket lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on China's Hainan Island, a primary facility for Chinese orbital missions. The site's coastal location offers strategic advantages for maritime launch trajectories and payload deployment into low Earth orbit. The Long March 12 is a medium-lift vehicle designed specifically for high-frequency commercial and constellation deployment missions.

The launch completed without complications, marking continued progress in China's ambitious satellite constellation initiative. With nine additional satellites now operational, SatNet continues systematic deployment toward full constellation buildout. The project underscores China's sustained investment in space infrastructure and its determination to establish comprehensive global satellite communication capabilities within the coming years.