China Plans to Launch 200,000 Internet Satellites in Response to Starlink
TL;DR
Chinese companies have filed requests to launch over 200,000 internet satellites as the government in Beijing criticizes Elon Musk's Starlink system for creating collision risks in space.
China Announces Plans to Launch 200,000 Satellites
Chinese companies have filed requests to launch over 200,000 internet satellites, at a time when the Beijing government is criticizing Elon Musk's Starlink system for creating collision risks in space.
Submissions to the ITU
The requests were submitted to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the end of December, and include various projects from Chinese satellite companies.
Main Projects
The most significant projects are CTC-1 and CTC-2, both aiming to launch 96,714 satellites each, submitted by the newly established Radio Spectrum Institute.
Impact of Criticisms
The criticisms from Beijing regarding Starlink relate to the increasing congestion in Earth's orbit, which could elevate the risk of collisions among satellites. This increase in satellites may affect not only China but the global space ecosystem.
Future Considerations
The plan to launch such a high number of satellites represents a crucial point in the space race and raises questions about the regulation and management of orbital space. The expansion of satellite internet infrastructure could benefit remote areas, but also requires debate about sustainability and safety in space.
Content selected and edited with AI assistance. Original sources referenced above.
