China launches an ambitious challenge to Starlink. The first batch of satellites will be launched into orbit this year.
The Chinese military industry is preparing to begin the construction of the first group of satellites, called LEO, in very low Earth orbit (150-300 km from Earth). Some satellites will launch as early as September 2023, SpaceNews reported.
Artificial intelligence system in the beginning intended for environmental monitoring and observation of the earth’s surface, prevention of natural disasters and control of traffic flows.
However, with increasingly strained relations with Washington and export controls preventing Chinese firms from accessing some advanced computing chips, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for technological self-sufficiency in all areas. It should also be noted that China is largely closed to foreign satellite broadband providers.
State-owned satellite operator China Satcom has little influence on the world stage and focuses mainly on serving local needs from geostationary orbit (GEO). The operator has joint capacities in South and Southeast Asia as well as the Middle East, Africa and Belarus. With the strengthening of the LEO satellite constellation, the importance of China’s role in international satellite communications is expected to change in the next 5-10 years.
China’s ambitious plans
The first information on the development of China’s own satellite system appeared in 2019. The artificial intelligence satellite group is named Leo after the constellation Leo. It was then planned to include 192 spacecraft from the Yaogan series.
In 2020, state-owned China Satellite Network Group Corp announced China’s grand plans to build around 13,000 LEOs to compete with US-based Starlink, but progress has been slow so far, according to Forbes.
Now, according to analysts, there are no more than a few hundred LEO satellites operating in China, and by 2027 their number could reach 4,000.
Spacecraft and rocket manufacturer China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) announced the launch of the first LEO satellites from a planned group in September this year. The number of satellites that will be deployed into orbit is still unknown.
Reuters notes that LEO satellites have the advantage of being cheaper and more efficient than satellites in higher orbits.
Currently, US-based Starlink, led by billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX Corporation, has a rapidly growing network of more than 3,500 satellites in low Earth orbit and plans to add tens of thousands more to its system. more than that million subscribers from all over the world.
according to information Focusin May last year, Chinese researchers proposed to create a weapon to destroy the satellites of the Starlink project.
Today, it is learned that the European Commission has voted to place more than 170 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide reliable communications for all of Europe as early as 2027.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.