With 7,500 satellites launched to date, Starlink has revolutionized satellite communications and Internet access. However, it has also created significant geopolitical tensions.
SpaceX’s low-orbit mega-constellation isn’t just a profitable business—delivering broadband Internet in more than 100 countries—it’s also a strategic U.S. asset. The war in Ukraine and the development of Starshield, the government version of Starlink, underscore its importance.
Now, China and the EU are ramping up efforts to bolster their own satellite communication systems.
China Launches Guowang, Its Answer to Starlink
China recently launched the first 10 satellites in its state-owned Guowang constellation, which translates to “national net” in Mandarin and is referred to in the West as SatNet.
Guowang has been in development since 2020, backed directly by Xi Jinping’s administration. Its initial satellites launched on a CZ-5B rocket from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a government-backed vehicle costing $70 million per launch.
Although the CZ-5B is infamous for an uncontrolled re-entry, this launch used a YZ-2 upper stage to deliver the satellites into orbit, eliminating concerns about the 21-ton rocket’s descent.
The first 10 satellites of the Guowang “National Net” megaconstellation.
China plans to deploy about 13,000 Guowang satellites into low Earth orbit:
- 6,000 smaller satellites (about 500 pounds each one) at 310 miles altitude, similar to Starlink.
- 7,000 larger satellites (about 1,322 pounds each one) at 711 miles altitude, where they will remain operational longer.
The China Association of Science and Technology will manufacture the satellites, starting with those in lower orbits, which will have a transmission capacity of 48 Gbps.
In addition to Guowang, another ambitious constellation is emerging in China. Backed by the Shanghai government, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology has launched 54 satellites for its G60/Qianfen network, which aims to eventually deploy 15,000 satellites.
Europe Advances with Iris²
The EU has committed more than €10 billion ($10.8 billion) to develop Iris², its most ambitious satellite constellation since Galileo (Europe’s GPS system) and Copernicus (the world’s largest Earth observation network).
Designed to address Europe’s strategic disadvantage against Starlink, Iris² will initially focus on providing secure, sovereign communications for EU member states while fostering competitiveness in the European space industry.
Conceptual image of the European constellation Iris². Image | Eutelsat
Unlike Starlink or Guowang, Iris² will combine over 290 satellites in three orbits to achieve full coverage: Low-Earth Orbit, Medium-Earth Orbit, and Geostationary Earth Orbit. While this approach reduces the need for thousands of satellites, it sacrifices the low latency of LEO mega-constellations.
Funding for Iris² is 61% public, with the remainder coming from a consortium led by France’s Eutelsat, Spain’s Hispasat, and Luxembourg’s SES. Known as the SpaceRise consortium, this group has secured a 12-year concession to design, build, and operate the constellation.
Amazon’s Kuiper and OneWeb Enter the Scene
Eutelsat, Iris²’s largest private investor, has committed just over $2 billion to integrate publicly funded technologies into its OneWeb satellites. OneWeb, a Starlink competitor, delivers low-latency Internet services to aircraft, ships, trucks, telecommunications companies, and militaries.
Since its acquisition by Eutelsat, OneWeb—previously backed by the British and French governments—has launched more than 630 satellites using Russia’s Soyuz, India’s LVM3, and SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets. Operating at an altitude of 745 miles, OneWeb remains Starlink’s main commercial rival.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s Kuiper constellation, which has authorization for 3,200 satellites, could accelerate its launches once Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket becomes operational. Despite mounting competition, Starlink remains far ahead. With approval to deploy up to 30,000 satellites, SpaceX expects to deliver 1 Gbps Internet connections worldwide when Starlink begins launches with its Starship rocket.
Image | SpaceX
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