World's first commercial high-orbit relay satellite set for launch

The world's first commercial high-orbit relay satellite program – a 13-satellite Cangyu Constellation – is set to deploy its first geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, CY-G1, in 2026.

Initiated by Chinese private space company Cangyu Space, the program aims to build a global space-based information network by 2030, consisting of 4 GEO, 6 medium Earth orbit (MEO) and 3 inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) satellites. The constellation will provide continuous, all-weather global coverage to support tracking, data relay and connectivity services for low Earth orbit satellites, rockets, crewed spacecraft, drones, terrestrial networks, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and other users worldwide.

Cangyu Space, an aerospace startup offering tracking, telemetry, command and data transmission services for global low Earth orbit spacecraft, rockets and drones, delivers real-time data collection and relay services for ground-based IoT networks, along with all-weather communication solutions for emergency response, polar and oceanic scientific expeditions, and more.

At the 2025 Shenzhen (Luohu) Aerospace Industry Conference on June 19, held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, the company also unveiled its global satellite information system services, terminal solutions and data transmission standards.

Cangyu Space announced plans to establish the Innovation Center for Relay-Based Real-Time Remote Sensing in Luohu District, in collaboration with Wuhan University. The center will combine Wuhan University's academic strengths in geomatics and remote sensing with Cangyu Space's expertise in relay satellite communications and commercial operations. Together, they aim to advance real-time remote sensing technologies using high-orbit relay satellites, focusing on experimental satellite development and demonstration systems to pioneer relay-remote sensing applications.

A preliminary aerospace industry cluster has taken shape in Luohu District, home to various commercial space enterprises across multiple sectors – including commercial rocket firm LandSpace, satellite operator Unified Net and commercial microsatellite developer MagicCubeSat.

This year, Luohu District aims to attract over 20 additional leading enterprises in the low-altitude and aerospace sectors while driving deeper integration between space technology and the digital economy.