China raises stakes in SpaceX internet rivalry, claims higher orbit for first SkyNet satellite
- by scmp.com
- May 10, 2024
- 0 Comments
- 0 Likes Flag 0 Of 10
– was launched into medium Earth orbit on Thursday.
The satellite, known as Zhihui Tianwang-1 01 or Smart SkyNet-1 01, left the Xichang satellite launch centre in southwestern China at 9.43am Beijing time atop a Long March 3B rocket.
Its developer China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
(CASC)
said the satellite will test high-speed, user-friendly communication technologies from 20,000km (12,400 miles) above the Earth.
According to CASC, the satellite will be joined by seven more satellites in an initial formation of the SkyNet constellation, with the potential for expansion to 16 or 32 satellites.
The satellite constellation bears the same name as China’s video surveillance network of public spaces – the largest of its kind on Earth, with more than 20 million cameras. The connection between the two systems is unclear.
The Smart SkyNet constellation could be combined with China’s low Earth orbit megaconstellations –
GuoWang and G60 Starlink
, which each consist of more than 12,000 satellites – as well as those in higher geostationary orbit, according to CCTV.
“Such an integrated, space-based network will provide internet access to all types of users across all scenarios and all domains,” the state broadcaster said on Thursday.
“Once complete, the constellation will provide personalised broadband network services with no blind spots globally,” the report said.
According to CCTV, Smart SkyNet-1 01 will test core technologies, including space-based laser communication and on-demand internet access for users ranging from Antarctica research stations to ships in the Western Indian Ocean and satellites in low Earth orbits.
26:05
Please first to comment
Related Post
Tweets by elonmusk
To get the latest tweets please make sure you are logged in on X on this browser.