QianFan 220

Description

QianFan 220 is the second of 20 simultaneously launched Chinese communication satellites, which make up the SpaceSail Polar Group 14 mission. They have Ku, Q, and V band payloads. The rocket took a southerly trajectory which was suitable for payloads going to a SSO.

These satellites are operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies for the G60 constellation with funding backed by the Shanghai local government. The initial constellation will consist of 1,296 satellites by 2027, with long-term plans to expand it to 12,000 satellites.

Each satellite weighs 300 kilograms with a ‘flat pack’ design, with a single solar array, to fit as many satellites as possible inside the rocket fairing in two parallel stacks. For maneuvering in orbit, each satellite has an electric hall-effect thruster burning krypton to generate 20 millinewtons of thrust, with a specific impulse of 1,385 seconds.

The standard CZ-8A configuration launched this mission. This is the 9th mission of the Long March 8A (CZ-8A) and the 161st orbital launch attempt of 2026.