China Establishes Massive Internet Satellite Constellation
On August 6th, China successfully launched the initial phase of a massive internet satellite constellation network, marking a significant milestone in the country’s global satellite internet industry. According to Xinhua News Agency, 18 communication satellites were launched on a Long March 6A rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province, reaching orbit as planned.
The “Tianfan Constellation Project,” also known as the G60 Constellation, aims to establish China’s global low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet network, competing with other networks such as SpaceX’s Starlink (USA) and Eutelsat’s OneWeb (France).
The Tianfan project, led by Shanghai-based satellite technology company Yuanxin, is being developed in three phases. The company aims to have 648 satellites in orbit by the end of 2025 to provide network coverage throughout the region, with plans to expand globally by 2027. By 2030, the company expects to operate over 14,000 satellites, delivering integrated multi-service networks directly to mobile devices.
LEO satellites operate at altitudes between 160 and 2,000 kilometers above Earth, reducing transmission latency and minimizing link losses compared to geostationary satellites. This makes them ideal for satellite internet services. Additionally, LEO satellites can provide faster communication services compared to underground cables and are strategically significant due to fewer blind spots and cost-effectiveness in remote areas.
In addition to the Tianfan project, China is planning other large-scale projects, including a constellation of 12,992 satellites by China Satellite Network and 10,000 satellites by Lanjian Aerospace. According to the Global Times, the establishment of the Tianfan Constellation is expected to accelerate development in markets such as mobile innovation, autonomous vehicles, disaster prevention and mitigation, offering significant growth opportunities for the satellite internet industry.
However, the limited orbital space has intensified the global race for LEO satellite resources. SpaceX plans to launch 42,000 satellites by 2027, while China has informed the International Telecommunication Union of its plan to deploy 51,300 satellites.
With an early start, the US currently leads in the number of satellites in orbit. Zhang Rui, a member of the China Market Research Association, commented, “The future of satellite internet is likely to see fierce competition between the US, China, the European Union, and Russia. These are the only major economies capable of integrating satellite manufacturing, launching, ground equipment, and operational services.”
This monumental project underscores China’s ambitious drive to become a major player in the global satellite internet industry, positioning itself for strategic and economic advantages in the digital age.
