SHANGHAI – China’s foray into the establishment of an independent satellite network is marked by the ambitious “Qianfan” project, also known as the “Thousand Sails Constellation”. This initiative, officially launched in 2024, aims to deploy over 15,000 low-Earth orbit satellites to create a comprehensive system of global internet coverage.
The project, which is a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, represents a significant technological and strategic development for China. The “Thousand Sails” program began with the “Shanghai Action Plan to Promote Commercial Aerospace Development and Create a Space Information Industry Highland (2023-2025)”, which was first announced in November 2023. The Shanghai government has raised substantial funds amounting to 6.7 billion Chinese Yuan (approximately $943 million) for the construction of the project.
The first launch, which took place on August 6, 2024, saw the deployment of eighteen flat panel satellites into polar orbit, marking China’s 35th orbital launch of that year. The launch was conducted using the Long March 6A carrier vehicle from the Taiyuan Launch Complex located in Shanxi Province. Despite the success of the mission, as reported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the United States Space Command noted that the upper stage of the Long March 6A broke apart shortly after delivery, creating a cloud of over 300 pieces of trackable debris in low-Earth orbit.
Looking ahead, China plans to establish 648 satellites by the end of 2025 as part of the first phase of the constellation’s construction, with the ultimate goal of more than 15,000 internet satellites. The satellites are designed to operate in “Ku, Q and V” bands, annex finite frequencies and orbital slots, and provide data security. There is also potential for military applications, as indicated by the People’s Liberation Army, which could mirror the utility of Starlink’s services for the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the conflict with Russia.
In comparison to Western satellite technology, China’s Qianfan project is a significant step towards establishing its own high-speed, secure, and reliable broadband internet services. The technology and design of the Qianfan satellites are similar to those used in Western constellations, with an emphasis on flat-panel design for ease of deployment. The Long March 6A rocket, China’s first to employ strap-on solid rocket boosters, is capable of delivering payloads of up to 4.5 metric tons into a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, showcasing China’s growing capabilities in space launch technology.
The development of the Qianfan constellation is not only a testament to China’s technological advancement but also reflects its strategic aspirations to gain greater control over its communication infrastructure and enhance its national security. The project underscores China’s commitment to achieving technological parity with, or even superiority over, Western satellite systems. As the Qianfan constellation progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its impact on global communications, space traffic management, and geopolitical dynamics. The success of this project could redefine the landscape of global satellite internet services and mark a new era in space-based connectivity. (zai)