China launches satellite constellation to compete with Starlink

China to compete with Starlink: China's ambitious space program took a significant leap forward on Monday with the successful launch of the first set of satellites for its new megaconstellation. This move, reported by the China Securities Journal, represents a direct effort to challenge the dominance of SpaceX's Starlink, which currently operates a sprawling global internet network.

The launch, conducted by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi province, is a key milestone in Beijing's strategic push to develop a competitive alternative to Starlink. SpaceX's Starlink, founded by Elon Musk, boasts approximately 5,500 satellites providing internet coverage across the globe, with plans to expand this fleet significantly.

China's new initiative, known as the "Thousand Sails Constellation" or the "G60 Starlink Plan," aims to deploy over 15,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) by the end of the decade. LEO satellites, positioned between 300 and 2,000 kilometres above Earth, offer advantages in cost and transmission efficiency compared to higher-orbit satellites.

This launch not only marks progress in commercial broadband but also highlights the increasing militarisation of space. The balance of power in low Earth orbit could have far-reaching implications for global security. Chinese researchers, particularly those affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), have closely examined Starlink’s role in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. They have raised concerns about the potential threats such satellite networks pose in the event of a military confrontation involving China and the United States.

China's plan involves deploying 108 satellites in 2024, ramping up to 648 by the end of 2025, and achieving full global coverage by 2027. The goal is to have 15,000 satellites operational before 2030. This ambitious effort is one of three major "ten thousand star constellation" projects aimed at closing the technological gap with SpaceX.

SSST has not yet provided comments on the launch or the broader implications of their new constellation network.

(with Reuters inputs)