TheTechno Optimist.

Qianfan (Thousand Sails)Shanghai Spacesail—Qianfan constellation reaches ~248 satellites in orbitQianfan (Thousand Sails)Shanghai Spacesail—Spacesail demonstrates Direct-to-Cellular voice calls on unmodified smartphones using Qianfan satellitesQianfan (Thousand Sails)Shanghai Spacesail—Shanghai Spacecom closes $1.94 billion Series B funding at $6.96 billion valuation

Qianfan (Thousand Sails)

by Shanghai SpacesailCN

Megaconstellation for global internet coverage. Phase one is 1,296 LEO satellites at 800 km polar orbits; target 15,000 total by 2030.

DeployStage 4 of 5

~248 satellites in orbit as of October 2026; phase one (1,296) targeted for 2027.

Updated Oct 2026Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Phase one constellation completion (1,296 satellites)
  1. First flat panel satellite assembledDec 2023Complete.
  2. Initial satellite launches beginAug 2024Complete.
  3. ~248 satellites in orbitOct 2026Complete.
  4. Phase one constellation completion (1,296 satellites)Target 2027Current milestone.
  5. Full constellation deployment (15,000 satellites)Target 2030Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

  1. Oct 2026Commercial service launch in Brazil (target Q4 2026) (next)
  2. 2027Phase one constellation completion (1,296 satellites)
  3. 2030Full constellation deployment (15,000 satellites)
Primer