China’s Proposed Megaconstellations Would Flood Orbit With 200,000 Satellites

China is looking to take over Earth’s orbit with a staggering number of satellites, all of which serve an unknown purpose.

The Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation in China filed a request with the International Telecommunications Union to operate two satellite constellations. Each constellation would include 96,714 units, totaling nearly 200,000 satellites to be launched into low Earth orbit.

It’s not yet clear what type of satellites would make up the two constellations, or why China needs so many of them. If they were to launch, however, they would exponentially increase the total number of satellites currently orbiting our planet.

Satellite overdose

The two constellations are named CTC-1 and CTC-2, according to PC Mag. Although there’s little information about the Chinese institute behind the request or the purpose of the constellations, one of the filings indicates that they plan on using a wide range of radio frequencies.

The filings also suggest that the satellites will be deployed across orbital altitudes ranging from 186 to 372 miles (300 to 600 kilometers) above Earth’s surface, and even higher orbits reaching 12,427 miles (20,000 km). By comparison, SpaceX’s Starlink satellites orbit at around 342 miles (500 km) above the Earth.

Although the recent filings were for two separate constellations, they do suggest China’s intent on dominating the satellite industry. The filings may be a way to secure China’s spot in Earth orbit ahead of attempts by other countries.

China is already constructing two constellations in space, Guowang and Qianfan, each of which will consist of more than 10,000 satellites. The country’s recent filings have not yet been examined by a regulatory body.

Crowded orbit

SpaceX operates the world’s largest constellation of satellites, with more than 9,400 Starlinks currently in orbit. Roughly 12,000 satellites are currently orbiting Earth, but that number is set to increase over the years as the space industry continues to grow.

The number of satellites in orbit has increased dramatically over the past five years alone. In 2020, there were approximately 2,500 to 3,000 satellites orbiting Earth. Studies estimate that by 2040, there will be around 560,000 active satellites based on planned launches by companies like SpaceX.

This past week, the Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX’s request to deploy another 7,500 of its Starlink satellites. SpaceX plans to launch up to 42,000 Starlink satellites and so far has received approval for 30,000.