A New Era for Satellite Internet: China’s Leap Forward

In a significant stride towards advancing satellite internet technology, China has successfully launched a batch of low-orbit satellites, marking a pivotal year for the industry. On April 29, 2025, at 4:10 AM, the Long March 5B rocket, launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site, carried the third group of low-orbit internet satellites into their designated orbit. This mission, the 573rd flight of the Long March series, signifies a major step in China’s satellite internet constellation, the Qianfan constellation, which has already completed five batches of satellite launches and is now in a regular launch and constellation phase.

The Qianfan constellation, a cornerstone in China’s satellite internet ambitions, has seen its core satellite manufacturing unit, Genspace, secure over 600 satellite orders in 2022, with an order value of approximately 45 billion yuan. With 36 satellites already launched and a third batch of 18 satellites set for launch soon, the constellation is on track to deliver over 200 satellites in 2025 alone.

Parallel to these developments, Shanghai’s economic and defense authorities have outlined measures to foster the commercial aerospace advanced manufacturing cluster, aiming for an industry scale of over 100 billion yuan by 2027. This initiative underscores the rapid pace of satellite internet constellation construction and the broader push towards commercial aerospace capabilities.

Global Moves and Market Implications

The satellite internet race is not confined to China. On April 28, Amazon launched its first batch of production satellites for the Kuiper Project, aiming to deploy over 3,200 satellites to provide global internet services. This move by Amazon highlights the global momentum towards satellite internet, with significant implications for connectivity and technology markets worldwide.

Analysts from Tianfeng Securities and Kaixin Securities have pointed out that 2025 is a turning point for satellite internet, with commercial aerospace entering a rapid constellation construction phase. The era of mobile direct satellite connectivity is on the horizon, promising to revolutionize how we access the internet.

Investment Opportunities in the Satellite and Semiconductor Sectors

The satellite internet boom and the broader technological advancements have opened up new investment avenues. For the satellite manufacturing and assembly, companies like Genspace, Shengsheng Technology, and Tianyin Electric are highlighted as key players. In the realm of satellite launch services, companies such as Baotai and Superfast are noted for their contributions to structural components and production processes.

The semiconductor sector, closely tied to the advancements in satellite technology and AI, has also seen significant interest. The Kechuang Chip ETF (588200), tracking the Kechuang Chip Index, has witnessed substantial capital inflows, reflecting investor confidence in the semiconductor industry’s growth prospects. Companies like Xindonglianke and Xinyuan Micro have seen their stock prices surge, underscoring the sector’s potential.

Conclusion

As satellite internet constellations enter a phase of rapid expansion and commercial aerospace capabilities continue to evolve, the landscape of global connectivity and technology is set for transformative changes. With significant investments flowing into satellite manufacturing, launch services, and the semiconductor sector, stakeholders across the spectrum stand to benefit from these advancements. As we move towards a more connected world, the opportunities for innovation and growth in these sectors are boundless, promising a future where satellite internet and advanced technologies redefine our global infrastructure.