China on December 16 launched the first satellites of the National Net satellite group, a move that adds to the fierce race to provide broadband internet services in space both domestically and internationally.
According to Xinhua News Agency, a group of satellites was launched by a Long March 5B rocket with the Yuanzheng 2 upper stage from the Wenchang Space Center in southern China at 6 p.m. on December 16. The satellites then reached low Earth orbit as planned.
The first Guowang constellation satellite was launched by a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang space launch pad in southern China on December 16, 2024.
The satellites entered their designated orbits and the mission was declared a success. Chinese state media did not release the exact number of satellites launched.
The name Guowang was first mentioned in 2020 when China submitted a dossier to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) about a satellite constellation project consisting of nearly 13,000 satellites. This is also considered the version that China uses to compete with Starlink of SpaceX (USA).
This giant “constellation” will provide global broadband internet service while also meeting China’s national security goals. In addition to the National Net project, other large-scale Chinese projects are underway, including the 14,000-satellite Tianfan project, the 12,992-satellite China Satellite Network constellation, and the 10,000-satellite Lanjian Aerospace constellation.
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According to Space News , China is expanding its domestic spaceports to facilitate faster launches and more diverse launch vehicles to carry out its satellite deployment plans. The growing constellation of satellites could have implications for space traffic management, space debris, astronomy, and geopolitical implications.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trung-quoc-phong-loat-ve-tinh-canh-tranh-voi-starlink-cua-spacex-185241217075208635.htm
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