The first satellite of the G60 Starlink project was launched in China at a factory in the Songjiang district of Shanghai. The device will be part of a future Internet communications network that will compete with the American Starlink of billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This was reported by the Chinese newspaper Shanghai Observer.
There will be approximately 12 thousand orbiters in the G60 constellation. The first 108 units are planned to be launched in 2024. By comparison, SpaceX’s Starlink currently has just over 5,000 satellites in space.
The project is led by state-owned Shanghai Gesi Aerospace Technology (Genesat), which was established in 2022 by the Microsatellite Innovation Academy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In a submission to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), G60 satellites are described as low-cost, high-performance and extremely reliable. The entire system aims to provide broadband Internet access service to users around the world.
G60 Starlink is the second mega communication constellation in low Earth orbit after the establishment of the China Satellite Network Group, which will implement the national Guowang (SatNet) project for 13 thousand devices in 2021.
China continues to seek ways to launch large quantities of satellites into orbit to meet ITU deadlines and ensure appropriate frequencies are used.
Previously Amazon successfully Experienced data transfer technology using infrared lasers in space for our own satellite Internet network.