Thousands of satellites planned by a Chinese corporation for orbit launch
In the rapidly expanding realm of space exploration, a new player is set to join the race – Hongqing Technology, a Chinese company with ties to commercial rocket maker Landspace. The company is planning to launch a megaconstellation of 10,000 satellites into low Earth orbit, dubbed the Honghu-3 Megaconstellation.
This ambitious project marks the third megaconstellation of over 10,000 satellites planned by Chinese entities, following the Guowang National Plan and the G60 Starlink proposal. The intention of the Honghu-3 megaconstellation is to inform the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and member states about the project to allow for review and potential interference assessment with existing satellite systems.
As satellite constellations continue to expand, the need for sustainable management practices becomes increasingly important. Current regulations and management strategies revolve around emerging international and regional regulatory frameworks emphasizing safety, sustainability, and debris mitigation.
One such regulation is the European Union's draft EU Space Act (Draft EUSA, 2025), which proposes binding obligations for space service providers to ensure the safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities. Operators must conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and submit Environmental Footprint Declarations (EFDs) for each mission, covering disposal plans, emissions, and re-entry risks. Spacecraft must be trackable, equipped for collision avoidance, and capable of safe deorbiting at end-of-life. There are also mandatory collision-avoidance service uses and strict enforcement measures including penalties and suspension of authorizations for non-compliance.
International law frameworks under the United Nations, including the Outer Space Treaty and related instruments, continue to provide foundational norms for the safe and sustainable use of outer space, emphasizing international cooperation, non-interference, and liability for damage caused by space objects. These frameworks are evolving to reflect new challenges from megaconstellations.
Industry and policy advocacy by organizations like Astroscale promotes responsible space operations through regulatory development for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), end-of-life (EOL) disposal, and on-orbit servicing to remove debris and extend satellite lifetimes. Such initiatives aim to integrate sustainability into technological and operational standards worldwide.
Global discussions and collaborations, such as those featured at international panels like the 2025 International Astronautical Congress, focus on coordinating regional priorities and policies to manage space traffic, reduce environmental impacts on Earth and in orbit, and mitigate debris risks, all critical as satellite constellations expand rapidly.
Regarding the Honghu-3 Megaconstellation by Hongqing Technology specifically, no direct publicly available details on its compliance measures were found in the 2025 search results. However, as a satellite constellation operator, Hongqing Technology would be expected to comply with relevant national and international regulations, particularly if operating or providing services in jurisdictions like the EU, which impose rigorous sustainability and safety requirements on constellation operators.
The first batches of satellites in the Honghu-3 megaconstellation are expected to be launched in the coming months. The launch details, including timeline and launch vehicles, have not been disclosed. The Honghu-3 megaconstellation will join SpaceX's Starlink constellation, which already has over 5,000 operational satellites, raising questions about the sustainability and management of outer space.
The planned addition of 10,000 more satellites by Hongqing Technology, combined with SpaceX's Starlink constellation, raises major questions about the sustainability and management of outer space. The increase in the number of satellites in orbit, including with the Honghu-3 megaconstellation, increases the risk of collisions between satellites and space debris. The Honghu-3 megaconstellation's impact on space debris and orbital congestion remains uncertain and will require careful management to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space.
The Honghu-3 megaconstellation's success could potentially lead to increased competition in the satellite industry, particularly with SpaceX's Starlink constellation. The Honghu-3 megaconstellation is not specified to serve a particular purpose or industry, suggesting it could be used for various applications. The Honghu-3 megaconstellation is expected to contribute to a range of satellites, launchers, applications, and associated infrastructure in the commercial space ecosystem.
The Honghu-3 megaconstellation is part of a broader initiative by the Shanghai government to foster a robust commercial space ecosystem. The megaconstellation comprises satellites distributed over 160 orbital planes. As the race for space dominance heats up, it is crucial to ensure that these ambitious projects prioritize sustainability to preserve our celestial neighbourhood for future generations.
[1] EU Space Act (Draft EUSA, 2025) - https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/eu-space-act-draft-regulation_en [2] European Commission – Space Policy – https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-green-deal/climate-change-adaptation/space-policy_en [3] International Astronautical Congress 2025 – https://www.iafastro.org/iac/iac2025/ [4] United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs – https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outspacetreaty.html [5] Astroscale – https://www.astroscale.com/
- To adhere with the European Union's draft EU Space Act (Draft EUSA, 2025), Hongqing Technology, as a satellite constellation operator, would need to conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and submit Environmental Footprint Declarations (EFDs) for each mission, ensuring safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities.
- As the Honghu-3 megaconstellation potentially increases the risk of collisions between satellites and space debris, it is crucial for Hongqing Technology to equip spacecraft with collision-avoidance capabilities and ensure safe deorbiting at end-of-life, following international norms and regulations.
- As part of a broader sustainable commercial space ecosystem initiative by the Shanghai government, the strategic placement of satellites across 160 orbital planes in the Honghu-3 megaconstellation should prioritize sustainability to preserve space for future generations, following global discussions and collaborations at international panels, such as the 2025 International Astronautical Congress.
