Shanghai Spacecom (SSST / SpaceSail)

Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Ltd (SSST, 上海垣信卫星科技有限公司) was established in 2018 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company is backed by the Shanghai Municipal People Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), positioning it as a state-supported commercial satellite operator targeting the global satellite broadband market.

SSST operates the SpaceSail constellation, also known as Qianfan (Thousand Sails), which is China primary answer to SpaceX Starlink. The constellation plans to deploy over 15,000 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide global broadband internet connectivity, making it one of the largest planned satellite constellations in the world. As of early 2025, SSST had deployed approximately 90 satellites, with ongoing launches targeting 600 satellites in service by end of 2025. SpaceSail satellites feature flat-panel modular designs enabling efficient mass production and cost-effective scaling.

SST signed agreements in 2025 to expand SpaceSail coverage to Pakistan and other international markets, establishing itself as a global broadband satellite operator. The company represents one of China ambitious mega-constellation initiatives alongside Guowang (GW) backed by state-owned enterprises, competing directly with Western LEO broadband providers in the growing global satellite connectivity market.