China Now Has Two State-Backed Mega-Constellations in Orbit

Yesterday, December 16th, China began deployment of its GuoWang internet mega-constellation with the launch of a Long March 5B from the Wenchang Space Launch Site carrying ten satellites.

Plans for GuoWang were kicked off around 2020 and 2021 by China's National Development and Reform Commission and the country's 14th Five-year plan with satellite internet services and communications services being listed as part of new infrastructures to develop. Earlier plans had two separate smaller constellations, Hongyan and Hongyun, providing a similar service that was later rolled into GuoWang.

Yet GuoWang is not the only mega-constellation China is currently launching, with the Qianfan constellation, also aimed at providing internet services, having three launches so far in August, October, and December of this year. Both of the constellations have a combined satellite count of sixty-four.

So what are these constellations?

GuoWang

The GuoWang (郭望) mega-constellation is operated by China Satellite Network Group with the aim of providing regular internet coverage of China, along with any other country that signs an agreement with the operator. GuoWang is backed by the Chinese government as a state-owned enterprise.

Plans for the constellation in the long term will have 13,000 satellites in orbit in the 2030s. Each GuoWang satellite is believed to weigh 600 kilograms, equipped with an electric propulsion system for maneuvers, in a 'flat pack' design.

Qianfan

The Qianfan (千帆) mega-constellation, formerly called G60 Starlink, is operated by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology to also provide regular internet coverage of China in the coming years. Qianfan is backed by the municipal government of Shanghai as part of Shanghai's plan to foster a strong local space industry between 2023 and 2025.

Long-term plans for the constellation will have it provide regular coverage of China by the end of 2025, and regular coverage worldwide by the end of 2027. By the end of 2030, 15,000 satellites are planned to be in orbit. Each satellite is believed to weigh 300 kilograms using a 'flat pack' design along with an electric hall-effect thruster for maneuvering.

Why launch these constellations?

Compared to SpaceX with Starlink, China's plans to launch and operate internet mega-constellations appears puzzling. However, there are a few reasons the Chinese government could be investing in internet constellations.

First, as part of national poverty alleviation programs, connecting individuals to the societal and economic benefits of China's increasingly digital environment could improve the lives of roughly 300 million people, who are currently not connected to the internet.

Satellite internet constellations may also play a role in future 6G networks, which currently have no established standards. China's 2024 Central Economic Work Conference identified 6G technologies as a critical developing industry for economic growth, while 5G technology is currently anticipated to contribute billions to China's economy.

Strengthening geopolitical strategy may be a driver of investment for the internet constellations. The China-led Belt and Road Initiative is already improving communications and internet infrastructure in the developing world with terrestrial solutions, a space-based solution backed by the Chinese government could be cheaper than those on the ground. For example, Brazil has recently signed an agreement with Qianfan's operator to provide connectivity to the country’s most remote regions, which would be costly to connect otherwise.

Lastly, Blaine Curcio, Founder of Orbital Gateway Consulting, believes that the Chinese government is willing to invest in mega-constellations, without a guaranteed return on investment, due to the potential for unrealized or emerging technology needing services offered by these constellations. One of the technologies that stand to benefit are autonomous air and ground vehicles operating within cities and major cargo hubs, needing low latency connections to a control facility.