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China boosts its Project GW satellite rival to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink

  • China’s satellites likely to be in orbits lower than US counterparts ‘to minimise collision risks and maintain safe distances’
  • Qu Wei, of China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, accuses Starlink of initiating a space version of ‘enclosure movement’ in low-Earth orbit

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China’s Project GW satellite programme - which aims to put 13,000 satellites in orbit - was launched by the National Development and Reform Commission, says aerothermal expert Qu Wei. Image: Shutterstock/Nasa
Ling Xinin Ohio
A Chinese space scientist has revealed more details about China’s 13,000-satellite project, which aims to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

Project GW is “forging ahead in an orderly manner”, according to Qu Wei, an aerothermal expert from the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics in Beijing.

GW refers to Guowang, or national network. Qu said the project was launched by the National Development and Reform Commission, a powerful central government agency overseeing the implementation of major economic policies and projects.

It will “likely place its nearly 13,000 satellites in orbits lower than those of their US counterparts to minimise collision risks and maintain safe distances”, he said.

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“Lower orbit satellites enjoy the advantages of high resilience, flexible deployment and large transmission capacity, while being less affected by terrain,” wrote Qu, who is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, in an article for CPPCC Daily on Thursday.

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