China has submitted applications to reserve orbital slots for nearly 200,000 satellites, sparking concerns that it may be positioning itself to dominate a significant portion of near-Earth space, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The requests, filed on December 29 by the newly established Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation, detail two constellations—CTC-1 and CTC-2—each consisting of 96,714 satellites distributed across multiple orbits. If these projects come to fruition, they would surpass SpaceX’s Starlink initiative and potentially limit access for competitors.
While officials have not disclosed the specific purpose of these satellites, speculations about military or security applications have emerged. According to China in Space, Nanjing University of Aeronautics suggests that the network would support activities such as “Low-altitude electromagnetic space security, integrated security defence systems, electromagnetic space security assessment of airspace, and low-altitude airspace safety supervision services.” Analysts note similarities between this description and SpaceX’s military-oriented Starshield system.
The Daily Mail notes that these filings were made with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the regulatory body responsible for allocating orbital spectrum. Once approved, other companies must demonstrate that their satellites will not cause interference. Despite potential civilian applications, this move coincides with the escalating competition between the US and China in space.
Satellites have become integral to modern warfare, contributing to what is known as the “kill mesh.” Recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, have highlighted the critical role of satellite communications and jamming capabilities. US officials have expressed concerns about unusual movements exhibited by certain Chinese satellites in geostationary orbit, with one senior officer noting their unconventional behavior.
China views space as a strategic asset, with President Xi Jinping emphasizing the importance of managing, utilizing, and protecting it. The country’s satellite count has significantly increased from around 40 in 2010 to approximately 1,000 today.
Despite the ambitious nature of the proposal, many experts doubt its feasibility. The sheer volume of satellites required—launching around 500 per week for seven years—far exceeds China’s current manufacturing and launch capabilities. Some analysts speculate that this move is more of an attempt to secure orbital space for future endeavors rather than an immediate deployment plan.
Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation suggests that China may simply be reserving space for future use, stating, “It is possible they’re just trying to create some space for later on.” Even industry insiders in China have tempered expectations, with Spacety executive Yang Feng highlighting significant technical and capacity challenges that need to be overcome.
This development is noteworthy considering China’s recent criticism of SpaceX at the UN, where it raised concerns about the safety and security implications of the unchecked proliferation of commercial satellite constellations.
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