Beijing eyes 200,000-satellite megaconstellation to rival Starlink
TL;DR
China has filed ITU proposals to deploy up to 200,000 internet satellites—including two ambitious 96,714-satellite megaconstellations (CTC-1 and CTC-2)—as part of a broader push to build Chinese space networks and compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, amid concerns about orbital congestion and regulatory timelines.
- 200,000 satellites: China seeks approval for one of largest satellite constellations Interesting Engineering
- The big ambitions of China’s private space industry The Economist
- China files ITU paperwork for megaconstellations totaling nearly 200,000 satellites SpaceNews
- China applies to put up 200,000 satellites after calling Starlink a crash risk South China Morning Post
- Is the Hottest Track in Early 2026 Set to Ignite the Next Great Frontier? 36Kr
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