Qianfan (SpaceSail)

LEO Upcoming

China's mega-constellation - 108 in orbit

Max Speed

TBD

Latency

60–70ms

From

TBD

Satellites

108/13,904

Data last verified 2026-03-28. Speeds are advertised ranges - actual performance varies by location and congestion. 4 sources cited below.

About Qianfan (SpaceSail)

Qianfan (Thousand Sails) is China's first commercial mega-constellation, developed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, commonly known as SpaceSail. The project aims to build a ~14,000 satellite LEO constellation to compete with Starlink and provide global broadband coverage.

First launched in August 2024, the constellation rapidly deployed 108 satellites across six launches, each carrying 18 satellites. Launches were paused in early 2025 after satellite anomalies were detected in orbit, but resumed in October 2025 after the issues were resolved.

A 60–70ms latency demonstration during testing in Hong Kong showed competitive performance with Western LEO constellations. Brazil's telecommunications regulator Anatel authorized 324 Qianfan satellites in February 2026, indicating expansion into South American markets. No consumer service, pricing, or public availability timeline has been announced.

Specifications

Download Speed
TBD
Upload Speed
TBD
Latency
60–70ms
Data Cap
Unlimited (plan-dependent)
Orbit Type
LEO
Constellation
108 in orbit / 13,904 planned
Parent Company
Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SpaceSail)
Subscribers
Not disclosed

For context: Netflix 4K needs ~25 Mbps, video calls need ~5 Mbps. Latency under 100ms is good for gaming; under 300ms works for video calls. GEO satellites (600ms+) have noticeable delay on interactive tasks.

Hardware & Installation

Equipment Cost
TBD
Note
No consumer service announced
Installation Required
Self-install
Portable
No

Timeline

Completed Planned

  1. First launch - 18 Qianfan satellites

  2. 6 total launches, 108 satellites deployed

  3. Launches paused due to satellite anomalies

  4. Launches resume after anomaly resolution

  5. Brazil Anatel authorizes 324 satellites

  6. Target: 324 new satellites

  7. Target: ~14,000 satellites

Customer Sentiment

No reviews yet

Qianfan has no consumer service and therefore no user reviews. The Hong Kong latency test showed promising technical performance. Consumer availability timeline is unknown.

Sentiment verified 2026-03-24. Reviews change - check the platform for latest.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • + Massive planned constellation (~14,000 satellites)
  • + Strong state backing and funding
  • + 60–70ms latency demonstrated in Hong Kong trial
  • + Targeting underserved Asian, African, and South American markets

Limitations

  • - No consumer service or pricing announced
  • - Launch pause in early 2025 due to satellite anomalies
  • - Only 108 of ~14,000 satellites deployed
  • - Limited English-language information available
  • - May face regulatory barriers in Western markets

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is Qianfan (SpaceSail) satellite internet?
Qianfan (SpaceSail) has not yet published official speed specifications. Check back for updates as service launches.
How much does Qianfan (SpaceSail) cost per month?
Qianfan (SpaceSail) does not currently offer public consumer pricing. Service is available through enterprise contracts or authorized partners.
What latency does Qianfan (SpaceSail) have?
Qianfan (SpaceSail) has a latency range of 60 to 70ms. As a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) provider, it delivers low latency suitable for video calls, gaming, and real-time applications.
Is Qianfan (SpaceSail) available in my country?
Qianfan (SpaceSail) is not yet commercially available. 108 satellites in orbit (6 launches of 18). Launches resumed Oct 2025 after anomaly pause. Plan: 324 new in 2026, 324 in 2027, 4,000/year from 2028, 5,000 in 2030. Brazil Anatel authorized 324 satellites (Feb 2026).
Does Qianfan (SpaceSail) require professional installation?
No, Qianfan (SpaceSail) does not require professional installation. The satellite terminal is designed for self-installation. Once set up, the dish should have a clear view of the sky for best performance. Equipment costs have not been announced.

Sources & Methodology

All data on this page is sourced from official company announcements, regulatory filings, and independent speed-test databases. Speeds shown are advertised ranges - actual performance varies by location, time of day, and network congestion. We do not fabricate specifications: where data is unavailable, we show "TBD."

  1. [1] SpaceSail company announcements (Chinese language) - accessed 2026-03-24
  2. [2] ITU satellite network filings - Qianfan constellation coordination - accessed 2026-03-24
  3. [3] Brazil Anatel - satellite authorization records (February 2026) - accessed 2026-03-24
  4. [4] Jonathan McDowell's satellite tracking database - Qianfan launches - accessed 2026-03-24