China is about to launch nearly 13,000 satellites to compete with billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink?

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on February 24, the research team was led by Associate Professor Xu Can, from the University of Aerospace in Beijing. The “Report on Anti-Starlink Measures” by Mr. Xu and colleagues is dated February 15 and shows the project codenamed “GW”.

This satellite network will include 12,992 satellites owned by China Satellite Network Corporation. However, the release date is still unknown. China’s new satellite network is expected to compete directly with SpaceX’s more than 12,000 satellites (as of 2027 as planned).

US billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company said that the Starlink network currently has more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and is expected to grow to more than 40,000 satellites. Photo: Shutterstock

Mr. Xu’s team says that the “GW” project will likely be rolled out quickly before the Starlink network is complete: “This will ensure our country a place in low orbit and prevent the Starlink grid holds resources in low orbit”.

The researchers added that China can launch satellites to places where Starlink has not yet been in orbit, thereby taking advantage of opportunities and advantages at other altitudes, even eliminating Starlink.

In addition, the Chinese satellite can be used to monitor the Starlink satellite at close range in the long term.

In addition, China is planning to build more powerful radar systems, integrating new technology to identify and track Starlink satellites. Xu’s team revealed that the Chinese government may also work with other governments to form an “anti-Starlink coalition” and asked SpaceX to release accurate orbital data related to the Starlink satellite.

“New weapons, including high-energy lasers and shortwaves, will be developed and used to destroy Starlink satellites passing through China or other sensitive areas,” the team said.

However, China’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration is calling on both sides to cooperate, warning that competing communications satellite networks could harm each other.

US billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company said that the Starlink network currently has more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and is expected to grow to more than 40,000 satellites.