Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), a Chinese government-backed entity, is set to launch its first batch of satellites in a bid to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink, according to media reports. This launch will mark a significant step for China in its strategic competition with the United States to dominate satellite-based communications.
The launch, likely to take place at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi, is part of China’s G60 Starlink Plan, also known as the Thousand Sails Constellation plan. This initiative aims to deploy 15,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide widespread connectivity across China and beyond.
China plans to deploy 648 satellites by 2025 to cover its regional needs, with an additional 648 satellites by 2027 to achieve global coverage. The final phase, expected by 2030, will see the full deployment of 15,000 satellites. The G60 initiative has received $1 billion in funding from the Shanghai government, highlighting its importance to China’s broader goals.
The move is seen as part of China’s broader push for self-reliance in critical technologies, particularly in response to the role that Starlink, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has played in global conflicts. Starlink’s network, with around 5,500 LEO satellites, has been instrumental for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, raising concerns in Beijing.
China has previously developed its own global navigation system, Beidou, to reduce its reliance on the US-operated GPS. The G60 Starlink Plan is seen as a continuation of these efforts, positioning China as a key player in emerging satellite-based technologies. The launch could significantly impact the global balance of power in satellite communications.
