China has taken a major step in the space race with the launch of its first satellites for the ‘G60 Starlink Plan’, a network of over 15 000 internet satellites to compete with SpaceX Starlink.
China has begun its ambitious G60 Starlink Plan project with the launch of its first satellites, an initiative that aims to build a constellation of over 15 000 low-orbit internet satellites. The project, led by state-owned Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), started in 2023 and aims to offer global coverage by 2027 and complete the constellation by 2030, writes Business Insider.
The first batch of satellites was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province. The plan for 2024 includes the launch of 108 satellites, and 648 satellites are expected to be in orbit by the end of 2025.
A direct response to SpaceX Starlink
Starlink, which already has around 5 500 satellites in orbit and is used by many consumers, businesses and governments. The US counterpart has a big head start in its development of a global internet network via satellites.
The G60 Starlink Plan is part of China’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on foreign technology and strengthen its position in the space sector. The SSST project, also known as the ‘Thousand Sails Constellation’, is one of three major Chinese initiatives to build comprehensive satellite networks.
There are also military implications in this race to dominate space, which could affect the balance of power between countries. Chinese researchers within the People’s Liberation Army have studied SpaceX Starlink use during the conflict in Ukraine and expressed concerns about the security risks it could pose to China in a potential conflict with the United States.
China’s investment in the G60 Starlink Plan is not only a technological and economic project, but also part of its national security and geopolitical influence strategy. It remains to be seen how effectively China will be able to compete with SpaceX’s already established presence in space.
