China Begins Building Starlink Rival with New Orbital Network
China has taken a significant step towards creating its own orbital network, rivaling Starlink, by successfully launching the first batch of 18 satellites. The launch, conducted by a state-owned company, marks the beginning of an ambitious plan to establish a massive constellation in space.
The event took place on Monday at the Taiyuan satellite and missile launch center in Shanxi province. A single rocket was used to deploy all 18 satellites, which are part of the initial phase of the “Thousand Sails Constellation.”
This project aims to build a network of 15,000 Low Earth Orbit satellites by 2030, providing China with its own large-scale satellite system to compete on the global stage. The Thousand Sails Constellation represents China’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space technology.
