A group of Chinese scientists proposed to create the largest satellite group in low Earth orbit. The devices will be used to provide high-speed Internet access for users around the world, as well as to counter the satellite Internet company Starlink, owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.
Some details of the plan for the creation and development of the Chinese satellite project were shared by the South China Morning Post.
The schedule for the launch of the Chinese satellites of the project codenamed GW has not yet been determined, but the publication states that their number will be similar to that of SpaceX's satellite group, which plans to launch more than 12,000 Starlink vehicles into low Earth orbit by 2027.
The publication indicates that the deployment of Chinese satellites "will be carried out very quickly and by the time Starlink finishes deploying its vehicles." It is also explained that this "will enable the country to effectively occupy a place in low Earth orbit and prevent the capture of the orbit by Starlink satellites."
Chinese satellites can be placed "in orbits that have not yet been occupied by Starlink satellites," the scientists write, adding that "the use of certain orbital altitudes will give [Chinese satellites] advantages and even capabilities that will allow them to suppress [the work of] Starlink satellites." .
As the South China Morning Post writes, the China National Space Administration previously called for international cooperation in space and noted that confrontation in the field of satellite communications would only bring harm to all parties to such conflicts.
According to the SpaceX company, the Starlink satellite network currently has more than 3,800 devices in low Earth orbit. In the future, the company plans to expand the group's number to more than 40,000 satellites.
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