China takes the first step towards creating its own Starlink

China launched successfully satellite for testing Internet connectivity From space. The Asian giant aims to offer a service similar to Starlink, based on a mega-constellation of thousands of satellites that will be deployed in low Earth orbit.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the launch of the Long March 2D rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. In accordance with ChinaDailythis one wore satellite “Demonstrator of space Internet technologies”“, which was developed by the Academy of Microsatellite Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Although local media have omitted details about the satellite, this is not the only launch carried out to test the project. In July, China’s largest space contractor sends two satellites into space aboard the Long March 2C, a 43-meter rocket that will be used for future constellations.

The first signs of China’s Starlink appeared in 2018, although it was only in 2020 that the Asian country requested spectrum allocation from the International Telecommunication Union. It clarified China’s intention to build and deploy two low-orbit constellations. Project Guowang (GW) will consist of 12,992 satellites.which will be located at an altitude of 500 to 1145 km and operate in various frequency ranges.

A few months later, Bao Weimin, director of the CASC Science and Technology Committee, said in an interview that they were building the first satellites. Weiming stated that The state will be responsible for planning and operating the network. Govan through a new company.

Chinese Starlink will become more powerful and will have military potential

Plans to compete with Starlink gained momentum in the early months of 2023, although the project was no longer an internet-only offering. Report South China Morning Post He explained in detail that The Chinese army will use the Govan constellation to spy on its opponents.

These satellites They can be placed at orbital altitudes that Starlink has not reached. and are capable of neutralizing competition. Xu Can, a professor at Beijing Space Engineering University, explained that GW satellites could be equipped with anti-Starlink payloads. China believes SpaceX constellation is observing space and is in the service of the US Department of Defense.

The professor said the government has plans to build more powerful radars to identify and track Starlink satellites. If it is needed, the army could neutralize them with laser beams or powerful microwaves. Xu Can noted that the US can take advantage of Starlink’s orbital maneuverability to engage and destroy nearby targets in space.

At the moment, there are no details about the characteristics of these satellites and the date when Internet services will be available in China. The Asian country is working at full speed to create a constellation capable of handling Starlink. Two years ago the government of this country accused SpaceX to the UN after the Tiangong space station incident.