China has successfully launched a batch of 18 satellites as part of its ambitious 'Spacesail Constellation' project, which is designed to enhance global internet access by the year 2030.

The satellites were launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, located in north China's Shanxi Province, at 7:06 p.m. Beijing Time. This mission, utilizing a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket, signifies a crucial step in China's efforts to establish a robust satellite internet network.

Upon launch, the satellites successfully entered their designated orbits, marking a significant achievement in the deployment of the 'Spacesail Constellation'.

Often referred to as the 'Thousand Sails Constellation' or 'G60,' this project serves as China's counterpart to SpaceX's Starlink internet constellation. The overarching goal is to roll out over 15,000 low-Earth orbit satellites by the end of the decade, aimed at providing users worldwide with low-latency and high-speed satellite broadband services.

The launch of these 18 satellites follows the initial batch that was deployed in August, demonstrating China's commitment to advancing its satellite capabilities.

The modified Long March-6 rocket, which was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, represents a new generation of environmentally friendly launch vehicles. This rocket can deliver payloads exceeding 4.5 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit positioned at an altitude of 700 kilometers.

This mission marks the 539th flight of the Long March rocket series, which has been instrumental in China's space exploration and satellite deployment initiatives.

The launch of the 'Spacesail Constellation' not only aims to elevate China's technological standing in space but also aspires to connect millions of users globally, expanding internet reach to underserved regions.