China G60 Starlink Project Manufactures First Commercial Satellite; To Compete With SpaceX?

China has successfully manufactured the first commercial satellite on December 28. It had been working on its second group of satellites to provide widespread internet services for some time now. The production facility is located in Shanghai and has just developed its first commercial satellite. This move is part of China’s effort to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink in the growing space technology industry.

The factory is supported by the Shanghai government and it plans to launch at least 108 satellites by 2024. It also aims to have a globally competitive industry by 2027. The company managing the factory is called Shanghai Gesi Aerospace Technology. Its objective is to produce up to 300 satellites each year. They are using mass production techniques to reduce the time it takes to build one satellite from a few months to just a day and a half. However, this is still slower than SpaceX which makes six satellites per day.

China started the G60 Starlink project in 2016 which has been seen as a significant move in their competition with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The goal is to send around 1,300 satellites into space in the initial phase of the project. This project along with another national network called Guo Wang is China’s way of answering to the advancements made by Starlink.

This effort shows China’s quick progress in the aerospace information industry and its ambition to be a major player in the global space race. The success of these satellite projects could boost China’s standing in the global space industry.

AI and space technology are the latest technologies which have led countries to go on yet another rat race for power. Power in the potential future might be dependent upon the monopoly over these technologies.

What is the role of China’s G60 Megaconstellation?

The G60 megaconstellation is not just about providing internet services. It plays a crucial role in China’s aerospace information industry as well. This industry involves a range of activities, from building satellites to processing and utilizing the data they collect. The entire chain includes satellites, data application services, artificial intelligence and deep learning.

The data collected by these satellites is not just for internet services. It has various applications in multiple sectors such as transport, energy, communications, and even the military. The massive amounts of data collected are analysed using ground-based big data analytics which provides valuable insights and information.

This push in the aerospace information industry is part of a broader strategy, with China aiming to significantly grow this sector. Research by China Fortune Securities indicates that its aerospace information industry is expected to reach 44.69 billion yuan which is approximately US$6.26 billion in 2025. This is a notable increase from 29.3 billion yuan in 2021.

Furthermore, this industry has a substantial global impact. The aerospace information industry from China accounts for a significant portion of the global commercial space market by holding a 73% share. The global commercial space market was valued at around US$384 billion in 2022. This showcases the industry’s importance and China’s growing influence in this space.