China’s Geespace adds 11 more satellites to LEO constellation

Details: John Tanner; Category: Satellite Networks; 11 August 2025; 8245 views

Chinese LEO satellite operator Geespace reportedly launched another batch of 11 LEO satellites into orbit on Saturday, bringing it past the halfway point of the first phase of its planned constellation.

According to the official Xinhua News Agency, the latest batch of Gespace satellites were launched from Shandong Province on a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3). The launch took place almost a year after Geespace’s previous satellite launch in September 2024.

Geespace – a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group established in 2018 – now has 41 LEO satellites in orbit. Xinhua reports that Geespace is planning add another 23 satellites in the next two months.

Geespace has said it plans to deploy 72 LEO satellites by the end of 2025 for the first phase of the constellation, which will be focused on IoT connectivity services. The second phase will add another 264 satellites for D2D satellite communications, while the third phase will comprise a total of 5,676 satellites for high-speed broadband services.

In June 2024, Geespace tested the network outside of China for the first time with Oman-based satellite services provider Azyan Telecom.

In April 2025, Geespace formed a joint venture with Malaysia’s Altel Group to deliver services across Malaysia and Southeast Asia such as LEO satellite connectivity, satellite IoT, high-precision positioning and the development of localised ground infrastructure.