China wants to launch an analog of Starlink - to distribute the Internet and suppress Musk's satellites
The Chinese GW satellite constellation will include 12,992 vehicles
A group of Chinese scientists has proposed to create a large satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. The devices will be used to provide high-speed Internet access for users around the world, as well as to effectively counter the satellite grouping of Starlink, owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.
Source. South China Morning Post
The journalists cite the words of the head of the research team that proposed the project, codenamed GW, Associate Professor Xu Tsanem of the Beijing University of Aviation and Astronautics.
China's GW satellite constellation will include 12,992 satellites, which will be managed by the recently formed state-owned China Satellite Network Group Co.
GW satellites will also be used as a countermeasure against SpaceX's Starlink satellites.
The launch schedule for the Chinese satellites of the GW project has not yet been determined, but it is stated that their number will be similar to the SpaceX satellite constellation, which plans to launch more than 12,000 Starlink vehicles into low Earth orbit by 2027.
The placement of Chinese satellites "is planned very quickly and before Starlink finishes placing its satellites." Allegedly, this will "allow the country to effectively occupy a place in low Earth orbit and prevent Starlink satellites from taking over the orbit".
Chinese satellites can be placed "in orbits that have not yet been occupied by Starlink satellites," the scientists write, adding that "the use of certain orbital altitudes will give [Chinese satellites] advantages and even opportunities that will allow them to suppress the operation of Starlink satellites."
According to the scientists, their satellites can be equipped with equipment to perform tasks directed against Starlink satellites, for example, for long-term surveillance of Starlink satellites at close range.
According to SpaceX, the Starlink satellite network currently includes more than 3,800 satellites in low Earth orbit. The company plans to expand the grouping to more than 40 thousand satellites. Scientists led by Qian point out that China's current stockpile of space intelligence and defense capabilities will not be enough to withstand such a large number of satellites.
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