SpaceX’s Starlink is facing increasing competition, particularly from Chinese satellite internet providers aiming to expand their global footprint.
Shanghai-based SpaceSail signed a deal in November 2024 to provide satellite internet in Brazil and is in negotiations with over 30 other countries. Two months later, the company began operations in Kazakhstan.
A Brazilian government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the country is also in talks with Amazon’s Kuiper and Canada’s Telesat. The rise of Starlink’s competitors has been welcomed by Brazilian officials, who seek high-speed internet in remote areas but have had political and trade tensions with Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX.
Since 2020, Starlink has launched more low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites than all of its competitors combined. LEO satellites offer high-speed connectivity in remote areas, maritime operations, and war zones. Meanwhile, China launched 263 LEO satellites in 2024 alone, according to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell and tech consultancy Analysys Mason.
While few international companies can match SpaceX’s ambitions, SpaceSail has aggressive plans. McDowell estimates that Starlink currently operates about 7,000 satellites, with a target of 42,000 by 2030. In comparison, SpaceSail plans to deploy 648 satellites in 2025 and expand to 15,000 by the end of the decade.
The company's expansion will create a "Sail of Ten Thousand Ships" network, marking China’s first major international push into broadband satellite services. Additionally, three other Chinese satellite networks are in development, aiming to launch 43,000 LEO satellites over the next several decades, alongside investments in rocket systems capable of carrying multiple satellites at once.
SpaceSail’s primary mission is to expand internet access in rural regions, disaster recovery efforts, and underserved communities.
China’s Military and Government-Backed Expansion
Starlink’s rapid expansion and its role in the Ukraine conflict have drawn significant attention from military researchers worldwide, prompting substantial funding for rival satellite networks.
Hongqing Technology, a 2017 startup developing a 10,000-satellite constellation, raised 340 million yuan ($47 million) in February, primarily from state-linked investors.
In 2024, SpaceSail secured 6.7 billion yuan ($930 million) from a state-owned investment fund focused on expanding China’s industrial capabilities.
According to Anaqua’s AcclaimIP database, China published 2,449 patents related to LEO satellite technology in 2023, a massive increase from just 162 in 2019. Many of these innovations focus on cost-efficient satellite networks and low-latency communication systems.
A Rapidly Evolving Space Race
Antoine Grenier, Global Director at Analysys Mason, emphasized the fast-paced nature of the current space race, with continuous testing and rapid advancements.
"Early adopters are taking advantage of the current regulatory freedom and positioning themselves strategically before space regulations become stricter," Grenier noted.
(Source: Reuters)
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