Faith Nyasuguta
China has launched the first batch of its “Thousand Sails” internet satellites, aiming to rival SpaceX’s Starlink with its own global satellite network. A Long March 6A rocket successfully lifted off from the Taiyuan launch center in Shanxi Province, deploying 18 satellites into low-Earth orbit, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This is the initial phase of a larger plan to deploy over 15,000 satellites, creating global internet coverage.
By 2025, China aims to deploy 648 satellites in the first phase, according to state media outlet CCTV. The “Thousand Sails” constellation will provide global internet coverage, directly challenging established players like Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and OneWeb, a European firm owned by Eutelsat.
China’s ambitious satellite launch is part of its broader strategy to expand its influence in space and counter U.S. dominance in technology. In 2020, China completed the BeiDou satellite network to rival the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), and recently, its Chang’e-6 lunar probe returned with samples from the far side of the moon. Beijing has also announced plans for its first crewed mission to Mars in 2033.
Meanwhile, Starlink is making its own moves in Africa, expanding its satellite internet service across the continent. This week, Botswana became the latest country to join Starlink’s growing network, after months of regulatory hurdles.
Botswana initially rejected Starlink’s application in February 2024, citing incomplete documentation and banning the use and sale of its services. However, the tide turned in May when SpaceX representatives met with Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Africa-US Business Forum in Dallas, Texas. Following this meeting, the government lifted its ban and granted Starlink an operating license.
Botswana joins other southern African nations like Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe, where Starlink has recently gained a foothold. Zimbabwe faced its own challenges, initially banning Starlink before reversing its decision under pressure from public demand for affordable internet. The service’s expansion in both countries highlights its potential to bridge the digital divide and enhance internet access in underserved areas.
Starlink, with a current network of about 5,500 satellites, serves over 2.6 million customers worldwide. Its expansion across Africa is part of a larger strategy to connect remote and underserved regions to the digital economy, providing new opportunities for millions.
China’s push to create its own satellite internet network is a direct response to the success of Starlink and reflects the intensifying competition between Beijing and Washington in technology and space. As China ramps up its space ambitions, the global race for internet dominance is set to become even more intense.
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