In a dual-launch effort, China has deployed new satellites for its SuperView remote sensing and CentiSpace navigation augmentation constellations, advancing its low Earth orbit (LEO) capabilities.
A Long March 2D rocket launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on March 25, successfully placing 2 synthetic aperture radar satellites—SuperView Neo-2 (05 and 06)—into orbit. Developed under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the satellites are designed to deliver high-resolution radar imagery with sub-1 meter accuracy.
These satellites will support applications such as digital elevation modelling, radar orthophoto mapping and deformation monitoring using time-series radar interferometry. The SuperView constellation is operated by China Siwei and developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
In a separate launch on March 22, a Jielong-3 rocket lifted off from the Yellow Sea near Haiyang, deploying 10 CentiSpace-2 satellites for Future Navigation. These satellites were placed in near-circular LEO at an altitude of around 645 km.
The CentiSpace constellation is designed to enhance GNSS systems such as Beidou and GPS by providing stronger signal layers from LEO, enabling higher precision positioning. Planned applications include autonomous driving, precision agriculture, GIS and disaster response.
The project has strong backing from state-linked entities, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, along with funding from the Beidou Industry Fund.
China aims to expand the CentiSpace constellation to around 160–190 satellites, forming an integrated space and ground network.
The launches mark China’s 15th and 16th orbital attempts of 2026. With 92 launches completed in 2025, the country is on track to surpass 100 launches in a single year for the first time.
Further missions are expected from sites such as Jiuquan and Wenchang, including preparations for the debut of the reusable Long March 10B rocket.
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