China wants to launch 13,000 Internet satellites to compete with Starlink

Chinese scientists have proposed forming a huge satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit to provide Internet access around the world. The new project is envisioned as a competitor to Starlink's satellite constellation.

The project is being codenamed GW and will involve putting 12,992 satellites into low orbit. This will be handled by the state-owned China Satellite Network Group Co. The new satellites are to occupy low orbits.

A timeline has not yet been given, but SpaceX plans to launch more than 12,000 satellites into low Earth orbit by 2027. Chinese satellites are said to be placed in orbits that have not yet been occupied by the Starlink system.

SpaceX currently has more than 3,800 satellites in its constellation, but plans to increase the number to 40,000 in the future.