China Planning 2nd LEO Broadband Megaconstellation Called G60 Starlink

The Shanghai Municipal People’s Government has thrown its support behind an ambitious broadband megaconstellation project, known as "G60 Starlink," which aims to deploy a vast network of satellites to provide global internet coverage. Officials unveiled plans for the initiative during press conference on July 25.

The G60 Starlink project, situated in Shanghai's Songjiang District, has been quietly in development since 2016 but gained significant momentum with the announcement of its constellation plans in 2021. The project, named after the G60 expressway that runs through cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, is aligned with the Science and Technology Innovation Valley initiative.

The initial phase of G60 Starlink will involve launching a cluster of 1,296 satellites into orbit, forming the foundation of what could eventually become a constellation with over 12,000 satellites. This constellation aims to provide high-speed, global broadband connectivity through a network of satellites operating in the Ku, Q, and V bands.

The G60 Starlink initiative is distinct from China's "Guowang" national satellite internet plan, which is often compared to SpaceX's Starlink. China established a state-owned enterprise in 2021 to oversee the construction of the Guowang constellation, which is expected to comprise a staggering 13,000 satellites.

The G60 Starlink project offers an alternative approach, centered on the Shanghai region, to bolster satellite internet capabilities.

An integral component of the G60 Starlink project is a state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing center, set to be operational in 2023. This facility, with an annual production capacity of 300 satellites, aims to reduce satellite manufacturing costs by a significant 35 percent. The project has also filed for coordination with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

While specific details about the regulatory framework and coordination mechanisms for both the G60 Starlink and Guowang projects remain undisclosed, experts are speculating the potential implications and challenges posed by these massive undertakings.

The emergence of G60 Starlink adds to a burgeoning landscape of satellite development in China, including facilities owned by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp., and Innovation Academy for Microsatellites (IAMCAS). While the G60 Starlink initiative has garnered significant attention, questions regarding its interplay with Guowang, regulatory oversight, and the global implications of its success or challenges remain largely unanswered.

The G60 Starlink project further signals China's determination to achieve self-reliance and technical prowess in the space industry.