China’s inaugural satellite, dubbed Zhihui Tianwang-1 01 or Smart SkyNet-1 01, has been propelled into medium Earth orbit, signaling the commencement of its ambitious Smart SkyNet broadband internet constellation.
Crafted by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), this satellite is designed to trial high-speed communication technologies from an elevation of 20,000km above Earth, constituting a pivotal element of a grander scheme aimed at establishing a constellation that competes with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The launch, conducted from the Xichang satellite launch center, serves as merely the prelude. CASC envisions the initial deployment of seven additional satellites, with the prospect of expanding the constellation to encompass 16 or even 32 satellites in its entirety. The overarching objective is to fabricate a network capable of furnishing internet connectivity worldwide, devoid of any coverage gaps.
Although the Smart SkyNet constellation shares its name with China’s vast video surveillance network, there’s no connection between the two. Reports suggest the satellite does not carry surveillance equipment. Rather, it focuses on testing core technologies like space-based laser communication and providing on-demand internet access for various users, from research stations in Antarctica to ships in the Western Indian Ocean.
Medium Earth orbit, where the satellite resides in altitudes between 2,000km (1,240 miles) and 36,000km (22,400 miles), is typically used for global navigation systems. The integration of Smart SkyNet with China’s existing low Earth orbit megaconstellations, like GuoWang and G60 Starlink which each consist of more than 12,000 satellites, could revolutionize internet access worldwide.
“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.
The concept for a broadband constellation in medium Earth orbit originated from a team at Tsinghua University, with collaboration from various institutes including CASC, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Smart SkyNet-1 01 is equipped with advanced features such as a multi-beam, high-speed microwave link, an inter-satellite two-way laser link, and a digital processing and forwarding platform.
SpaceX’s Starlink, currently the largest broadband constellation, has nearly 6,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, with plans to expand to 42,000. China’s entry into the satellite internet market with Smart SkyNet signifies a new phase in the global race to provide high-speed internet access to even the most remote areas of the planet.v