China has begun to create its own analog of Starlink – Long March 2D rocket launches the first Guowang Internet satellite into orbit
China fears the expansion of the Starlink satellite Internet, which is already available in dozens of countries. The Chinese authorities want to create their own analog. Earlier in 2023, it was announced that the project was called Guowang. Last week, the first Internet satellite was sent into space.
China’s Long March 2D launch vehicle was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It is officially stated that it has launched an experimental Internet satellite into orbit. China intends to deploy 13,000 spacecraft in orbit, which is several times less than SpaceX plans.
The Kasich aerospace conglomerate began work on the project in late summer 2017, when it announced that it wanted to create a constellation of 156 satellites. Spacecraft production was established in Tianjin. The company was expected to produce 130 satellites a year.
The plans did not materialize, and the project was frozen. In 2020, the Chinese authorities merged the Hong Yen and Hong Yun projects to create a constellation of 12,992 spacecraft.
Two and a half years ago, China Satinine was registered in China. It will become a satellite Internet operator. The spacecraft will be launched into space using the Yuanzheng-2 upper stage. The satellites will be manufactured by IAMCAS and CAST organizations
