China Launches First Satellite For Constellation, Singi Starlink

Illustration of the low-orbit satellite constellation (photo: x @ajtourville)

JAKARTA On Monday, August 5, a Chinese government-owned company, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), launched the satellite's first batch for a megaconstellation project designed to compete with SpaceX's global Starlink internet network. The launch took place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, Shanxi province, as reported by the China Securities Journal.

The project is known as the "Thidth Sails Constellation" or "G60 Starlink Plan" and is part of China's plan to develop a broadband satellite network equivalent to Starlink, which currently has about 5,500 satellites in orbit. The goal of this constellation is to provide global internet services by launching more than 15,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are expected to be done before 2030.

The LEO satellite operates at an altitude of between 300 km to 2,000 km from Earth's surface, offering more efficient data transmission and lower costs than satellites in higher orbit.

This launch marks China's strategic steps in its efforts to match Starlink's capabilities, which have been widely used in the United States and are planned to add tens of thousands of more satellites to its systems. Starlink is currently also operating in Indonesia. While SSST plans to launch 108 satellites this year, 648 satellites by the end of 2025, and achieve global network coverage by 2027.

Researchers from the Chinese People's Liberation Armed Forces (PLA) have studied the use of Starlink in conflict in Ukraine and identified potential risks to Chinese space security if involved in conflict with the United States. Opinions published in the PLA media in January described Starlink as a serious threat to the security of space assets of various countries.

SSST has not yet responded to a request for comment on the launch.