China’s space companies have told the United Nations that they plan to launch more than 200,000 small satellites into space around Earth. These satellites would be used to help provide internet service from space, similar to SpaceX’s Starlink.
The documents were sent to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency that manages radio frequencies and space spots for satellite. China’s plan include two major projects called CTC‑1 and CTC‑2, and each project plans to launch around 97000 satellites.
Around 12 applications have been submitted by several Chinese space companies and research groups. Most of the satellites in the documents come from the newly formed Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation.
China is planning to launch satellites at the same time it is warning that SpaceX’s Starlink satellites might make space crowded and unsafe. They are also worried about having to share limited radio signals and space in orbit with so many satellites already up there.
SpaceX has been building out Starlink for years and now has thousands of satellites already in space, with plans to grow it more. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved SpaceX’s plan to launch an additional 7,500 second generation satellites by 2031, which would bring Starlink’s total authorized number to at least 15,000 satellites in space.
China’s documents do not guarantee all 200,000 satellites will be built or launched. These are early steps in a long global process where countries file plans with the ITU to reserve space and frequencies before official launch.
Many other companies connected to China’s space industry have also shared plans to launch groups of satellites. These include big government-supported companies like China Satellite Network Group, as well as private business companies such as China Mobile and Shanghai Yuanxin Satellite Technology.
In recent years, China is expanding its space industry. Private Chinese companies and government programs have started building small groups of satellites to provide internet services around the world. Some space companies, such as the ones working on the Tianqi and Qianfan projects, have already begun launching the satellites for their own internet networks.
China’s plan come as part of global race to build space‑based internet systems. Starlink in the United States has been one of the most widely known services, offering satellite internet from space to users around the world. Other countries and companies in Europe and Asia are also exploring similar systems.
Experts say the competition for orbital slots and radio frequencies is important because there is only few spots in space and limited bands of radio waves that satellites can use. Those who file early with the ITU may get priority for these programs, giving them an advantage when they start deploying satellites.
China’s plan have attracted attention from investors and media around the world, as they are showing their growing plans in space technology and internet coverage from space. While some see this as a sign of competition with SpaceX and other global players, others say it shows China’s desire to play a bigger role in future space communications.
It is still early in the process. Approval from the ITU and the ability to actually launch and operate such a large number of satellites will take many years and effort from both government agencies and private companies.