Hongyan Commercial LEO Satellite Constellation
Hongyan (CASIC)
CASIC's Hongyan (鸿雁) commercial LEO satellite communications constellation — providing global IoT and narrowband data communications for Chinese commercial and government customers.
Technical specifications
- Constellation Size
- 320 satellites (plan)
- Frequency
- L-band and S-band
- Services
- IoT data relay, maritime tracking, crew comms, aviation connectivity
- First Launch
- 2018–2019 (test satellites on Long March vehicles)
- Operator
- CASIC (China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation) commercial satellite division
- Competing With
- Iridium, Orbcomm (international) + other Chinese IoT constellations
About
Hongyan (鸿雁, ‘Wild Goose’) is a commercial LEO satellite communications constellation being developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) through its commercial satellite subsidiary. The Hongyan constellation plan calls for 320 satellites in multiple orbital planes providing global narrowband data communications, IoT connectivity, and supplemental mobile services.
The Hongyan constellation is positioned as a complement to China’s terrestrial mobile networks — covering maritime, aviation, and remote area users who fall outside cellular coverage. The system targets the maritime market (ship tracking and crew communications on China-flag vessels and fishing fleets), aviation connectivity, and IoT data relay for remote industrial and agricultural sensors.
Hongyan operates in L-band and S-band frequencies, enabling compatible terminal devices to switch between the satellite constellation and terrestrial cellular networks transparently. The constellation’s first batch of test satellites were launched on Long March rockets in 2018–2019. CASIC’s commercial satellite division (航天科工) is one of China’s two main state aerospace conglomerates, alongside CASC, giving Hongyan substantial institutional backing and access to launch infrastructure.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.