News reports from China indicate that a Chinese state-owned enterprise has this week launched the first batch of satellites in a major new constellation.
Reuters say the launch marks an important step in Beijing's strategic goal of creating its own version of Starlink, the commercial broadband constellation that has launched close to 6,000 satellites via spacecraft manufacturer, launch service provider and satellite communications company SpaceX.
SpaceX started launching satellites for its constellation and internet service Starlink in 2019. The Starlink service is available in over 100 countries with a target user base of consumers, companies and government agencies, mainly in remote areas.
The Chinese launch, led by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), took place at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, one of China's main satellite and missile launch centres, located in the northern province of Shanxi, according to the China Securities Journal.
The eventual plan is to deploy more than 15,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It’s a big number but many more of these are required than the higher-altitude geostationary (GEO) satellites to guarantee comprehensive coverage.
However, as Starlink has already demonstrated, they can be mass produced and, as they operate at altitudes of 300 kilometres to 2,000 kilometres, they have fewer issues with latency and offer higher throughput than GEO satellites.
However, China’s project is not just a commercial venture. The country is apparently worried about the use of Starlink in military contexts (such as its deployment in the war in Ukraine). As Reuters notes, the competition to occupy Earth's lower orbits has military implications, with the potential to affect the balance of power between warring countries.
It says SSST's plan is to launch 108 satellites this year, 648 satellites by the end of 2025, provide a "global network coverage" by 2027, and reach 15,000 satellites deployed before 2030.
