The space frontier is set to expand as Cangyu Space, a Chinese private aerospace company, announces the launch of the world’s first commercial high-orbit relay satellite program—the Cangyu Constellation. Scheduled to deploy its first geostationary-Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, CY-G1, in 2026, this ambitious project aims to revolutionize global connectivity.
The Cangyu Constellation plans to establish a global space-based information network by 2030. Comprising 13 satellites—including 4 GEO, 6 medium-Earth orbit (MEO), and 3 inclined-geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) satellites—the constellation will provide all-day, all-weather coverage worldwide. This network will support tracking, data relay, and connectivity services for a wide range of users, from low Earth orbit satellites and rockets to drones, terrestrial networks, and Internet of Things devices.
Cangyu Space specializes in tracking, telemetry, and command services, offering real-time data collection and relay services for various platforms. Their solutions are set to enhance emergency response efforts, facilitate polar and oceanic scientific expeditions, and provide robust communication networks globally. At the 2025 Shenzhen (Luohu) Aerospace Industry Conference held on June 19 in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, the company also unveiled its global satellite information system services, terminal solutions, and data transmission standards.
In a strategic move to advance real-time remote sensing technologies, Cangyu Space is partnering with Wuhan University to establish the Innovation Center for Relay-Based Real-Time Remote Sensing in Shenzhen’s Luohu District. This collaboration will merge Wuhan University’s academic excellence in geomatics and remote sensing with Cangyu Space’s expertise in relay satellite communications. Together, they aim to pioneer applications using high-orbit relay satellites, focusing on experimental satellite development and demonstration systems.
Luohu District is quickly becoming a hub for the aerospace industry, already hosting a cluster of commercial space enterprises like commercial rocket firm LandSpace, satellite operator Unified Net, and micro-satellite developer MagicCubeSat. This year, the district aims to attract over 20 additional leading enterprises in the aerospace sector, fostering deeper integration between space technology and the digital economy.
The launch of the Cangyu Constellation marks a significant milestone in commercial space exploration, promising to enhance global connectivity and inspire innovation across various industries. As 2026 approaches, the world watches with anticipation as Cangyu Space propels us into a new era of space-based technology.
