China has successfully launched 18 new internet satellites, adding to its ambitious low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation designed as a direct rival to SpaceX's Starlink. The mission, described as the seventh batch of the Qianfan constellation (also known as 'Thousand Sails' or Spacesail), advances China's goal of building a massive satellite network for global broadband internet services.Qianfan launch detailsThe satellites lifted off aboard a Long March-8 or Long March-8A rocket in a night launch from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site . The illuminated night sky over Hainan marked a milestone for the site, which conducted its 14th launch overall. This…