China launches high-orbit satellite internet that could challenge SpaceX’s Starlink
The total capacity of China’s high-throughput satellites will reportedly exceed 500 Gbps by 2025.
Because of their long distance from the ground, high-orbit satellites stay in a comparatively fixed position relative to the device connecting to them, so each one covers a much broader area than low-orbit satellites, said Sun Yaohua, associate professor in information and communication engineering at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
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Sun compared China’s high-orbit satellite network with SpaceX’s Starlink, which consists of mass-produced low-orbit satellites, saying the former required far fewer satellites for coverage and had no issues when a connected device switches between satellites, offering higher stability.
The Starlink network was developed by American aerospace company SpaceX to provide high-speed, low-cost internet satellite services. It now has more than 5,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit about 550km away.
“Low-orbit satellites have the advantage of higher communication speeds and low transmission delay, owing to less signal loss over a shorter distance. They’re better positioned for businesses like online HD videos and financial exchanges,” Sun said.
“The low-orbit system also has a more resilient network that is not dependent on a single satellite and can continue to operate if one fails. But if one high-orbit satellite goes down, it will greatly affect the entire network.”
He added the cost of a single low-orbit satellite is much lower, especially as SpaceX can leverage mass satellite production to add to the Starlink constellation.
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“However, the coordination of high- and low-orbit satellites will be a general global trend in the future, with the former for basic coverage and the latter for regional or operational enhancement,” Sun said.
“China’s high-orbit satellite system is relatively more mature. The low-orbit ones are still developing and will surely power up in the future.”
“The operation and management of a satellite system is very complex. Experience needs to be gained in actual practice,” Sun said.
“This high-orbit satellite network will not only facilitate Chinese people’s communication in belt and road countries but also provide experience in maintaining and operating a satellite system. It’s important for the future development of China’s satellite internet.”