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China is planning to build a giant network of satellites in low-Earth orbit, researchers say.
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 Aeronautics and Astronautics in Beijing. The "Report on Counter-Starlink Measures" by Xu and his colleagues was dated February 15 and showed that the project was codenamed "GW".
The satellite network will consist of 12,992 satellites owned by China Satellite Network Corporation. However, the launch schedule is still unclear. China's new satellite network is expected to compete directly with SpaceX's more than 12,000 satellites (planned by 2027).
US billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company said the Starlink network currently has more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and is expected to increase to more than 40,000 satellites.
Mr Xu's team said the "GW" project would likely be rolled out quickly before the Starlink network is completed: "This will ensure our country has a position in low orbit and prevent the Starlink network from holding resources in low orbit."
China could launch satellites to places where Starlink is not yet in orbit, giving it an advantage at other altitudes and even eliminating Starlink, the researchers added.
Additionally, Chinese satellites could be used for long-term close-range monitoring of Starlink satellites.
In addition, China is planning to build more powerful radar systems, integrating new technology to identify and track Starlink satellites. Mr. Xu's team revealed that the Chinese government may also cooperate with other governments to form an "anti-Starlink alliance" and demand that SpaceX release accurate orbital data related to Starlink satellites.
“New weapons, including lasers and high-energy microwaves, will be developed and used to destroy Starlink satellites passing over China or other sensitive areas,” the team said.
However, the China National Aerospace Administration is calling for cooperation, warning that competing communications satellite networks could harm each other.
US billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company said the Starlink network currently has more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and is expected to increase to more than 40,000 satellites.
According to Laborer
