China Satellite Network Launches 20 Satellites in One Rocket, Accelerating LEO-GEO VSAT Integration

March 13, 2026 – Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site: The Long March 8A carrier rocket successfully launched 20 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites for China Satellite Network (GW), marking a major step forward in the large-scale deployment of China’s LEO broadband constellation. The complementary integration of LEO constellations with traditional GEO FSS/VSAT systems is poised to reshape the global satellite communication market landscape.

The launch, conducted at 3:48 AM on March 13, deployed 20 core networking satellites for China’s GW constellation. Equipped with inter-satellite laser communication technology, these satellites significantly enhance the network’s autonomous networking capability and data transmission efficiency.

This mission achieved three major breakthroughs: mass satellite manufacturing, efficient centralized launch, and intelligent network control. The cost per satellite has dropped by more than 30% compared to previous models, laying a solid foundation for low-cost VSAT terminal access to LEO networks.

1. China Satellite Network’s GW constellation, with a planned total of 13,000 satellites, is expected to become one of the world’s largest LEO broadband constellations upon completion, forming a tripartite competitive pattern with Starlink and OneWeb, and driving the iteration and upgrading of the global FSS/VSAT market.
2. The hybrid networking of LEO satellites (high bandwidth, low latency) and GEO satellites (wide coverage, high stability) will become the mainstream application solution for future FSS/VSAT systems, perfectly adapting to multi-scenario needs such as enterprise private networks, maritime communications, and emergency rescue.
3. Supporting policies are advancing in tandem: The National Satellite Internet Standardization Committee was officially established on March 16, which will accelerate the standard unification of LEO-GEO VSAT integration and promote the standardized and large-scale development of the entire VSAT industry chain.