China Launches Satellite Constellation to Challenge US Space Dominance
China has launched a low-orbit satellite constellation with surveillance capability in an attempt to challenge the United States’ space dominance and SpaceX’s Starlink. The first batch of 18 satellites, known as “Qianfan” or “thousand sails,” was launched into orbit by state-controlled Shanghai Yuxin Satellite Technology Company on August 6. This project aims to create a network of 14,000 satellites, half of which will be launched by the end of next year and the other half by the end of 2027.
Starlink, owned by U.S. company SpaceX, has already provided Ukraine with internet and communication services that are crucial for sustaining the nation in its war with Russia. As of August 2, Starlink had approximately 7,000 satellites in orbit, making it the largest low-orbit constellation worldwide.
The capabilities of Starlink have attracted attention from various parties including the U.S. Department of Defense. In fact, SpaceX was contracted in 2021 to create a network called Starshield specifically for America’s defense and intelligence agencies.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has also taken notice. In April, PLA Daily newspaper accused the United States of “militarizing space.” Chinese military researchers analyzed Starlink’s capabilities in 2022 and identified potential dangers and challenges posed by this system. They called on China to develop countermeasures that could disable some Starlink satellites or disrupt its operational system.
Chinese defense journals have even analyzed Ukrainian operations and explored potential use cases for American technologies like Starlink in a future war against Taiwan.
General Stephen N. Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, warned in April about China’s rapid advances in space technology.
This latest Qianfan Constellation project is not China’s first attempt at challenging global space dominance. The launch of Starlink satellites back in 2019 posed a potential threat to China’s internet firewall as it offered services that could bypass current censorship measures imposed by CCP authorities.
Through this new satellite constellation project, China aims to seize control over Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) resources currently overseen by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). LEO offers advantages such as improved imaging capabilities and real-time information sharing on battlefields due to its closer proximity to Earth.
Experts believe that China’s satellite constellation development is primarily driven by military purposes but acknowledge that catching up with U.S.’s technological advancements may be challenging given their current strength.
Despite economic challenges faced by China such as deflation threats and reduced exports due to heavily indebted property markets and local governments’ financial burdens; experts suggest that investments made into Qianfan showcase their ambitions for developing a “Chinese Starlink” while preparing for potential conflicts with the United States.