China Launches Starlink Rival With New Orbital Network

A Chinese state-owned company has initiated its plan to construct a massive orbital network, comparable to Starlink, by successfully launching its first batch of 18 satellites.

According to the state-run China Securities Journal, the launch event took place on Monday, utilizing a single rocket to deploy the 18 satellites. The launch site was the Taiyuan satellite and missile launch center located in Shanxi province.

The recently launched 18 satellites represent the initial phase of the company’s ambitious project to establish a constellation of 15,000 Low Earth Orbit satellites, dubbed the “Thousand Sails Constellation.” According to the China Securities Journal, the company aims to complete this massive network by 2030.

Domestic media outlets have frequently compared this endeavor to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network, which currently comprises around 6,000 satellites. Elon Musk has expressed aspirations to expand Starlink to a constellation of 42,000 satellites in the future.

The Thousand Sails Constellation also referred to as the G60 project, is one of three planned large-scale satellite networks within China. Each network is projected to consist of at least 10,000 satellites.

Similar to Starlink, most of these satellites are expected to operate in Low Earth Orbit, ranging from 200 to 1,200 miles above the Earth’s surface.

The development of these three constellations, alongside numerous other ambitious space initiatives undertaken by Chinese companies, has been driven by the Chinese government’s recent efforts to engage the private sector in advancing the nation’s science and technology objectives.