China News
DRAGON SPACE
Chinese Satellite Companies Expand Global Services with Advanced Networks and Constellations
illustration only
Chinese Satellite Companies Expand Global Services with Advanced Networks and Constellations
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 30, 2025

Chinese space companies are rapidly expanding their global satellite services, offering capabilities in communications, navigation, and remote sensing. This expansion is coupled with a swift increase in satellite constellation deployments aimed at enhancing service reach and efficiency.

At the start of 2025, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a leading player in commercial launch services and satellite in-orbit deliveries, successfully completed the delivery of the intelligent remote sensing satellite IRSS-1 to an Omani company. Launched on November 11, 2024, the satellite features one-meter resolution imagery and weighs 95 kilograms. With a planned operational lifespan of five years, the IRSS-1 will be employed for land and forest surveys, urban planning, and disaster monitoring.

CGWIC highlighted that this delivery will significantly enhance Oman's capabilities in remote sensing, marking a critical step forward in the country's satellite application efforts.

Wide-Ranging Remote Sensing Coverage

Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. continues to advance its global reach with the Jilin-1 satellite constellation. Since its initial launch in 2015, the constellation has grown to include more than 117 satellites, providing frequent global coverage. Users accessing Chang Guang's platform can view satellite images captured by the constellation, which is capable of observing any point on Earth up to 40 times per day.

"The Jilin-1 constellation offers six global coverage cycles annually and 24 updates within China per year," said Huang Jian, the head of Chang Guang's overseas data operations. This frequency of data provision supports the company's expansion in overseas markets, assisting clients in land surveying, urban planning, and agriculture, as well as responding to disasters like fires and floods. These efforts align with requests from global organizations such as the United Nations.

Looking ahead, Chang Guang is planning the launch of a new constellation, comprising 200 satellites. This new formation will offer a spatial resolution of 20 centimeters, allowing for daily global coverage and the ability to revisit any location on Earth within approximately three minutes.

Expanding Communication Networks

The commercialization of China's space sector began in 2014 when the State Council introduced guidelines encouraging private investment in national space infrastructure. One notable company, Geespace, founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of the Chinese automaker Geely, operates a constellation of 30 satellites in three orbital planes. Geespace's Geesatcom constellation now delivers 24-hour coverage across 90 percent of the world, providing satellite communication services for a range of users worldwide.

By June 2024, Geespace had completed its first commercial deployment in the Middle East. The company plans to partner with global operators to roll out worldwide commercial services. "Through Geesatcom and its ground system, we provide medium- and low-speed satellite communications, satellite-based high-precision positioning services, and remote sensing AI solutions," said Geespace founder Wan Yang.

The company has ambitious plans for growth, expecting to extend its services into Southeast Asia and Africa in the coming years.

New Constellation Targets Remote Regions

Another Chinese company, Spacesail, is set to deploy a low Earth orbit mega-constellation aimed at providing satellite communication services to Brazil by 2026. The constellation will support broadband internet access in the country's remote and underserved regions. With its multi-layer and multi-orbit design, Spacesail will be one of the major players in expanding internet connectivity in areas traditionally out of reach of conventional communication networks.

"By 2026, Brazil will benefit from full-frequency satellite communications and reliable broadband internet coverage across its vast and remote regions," said company spokesperson Wang Cheng. Additionally, the emerging market for connecting smartphones directly to satellites is expected to grow significantly. "From the North Pole to the South Pole, nearly all locations on Earth - whether oceans, deserts, or remote mountainous areas - will be able to maintain stable connectivity via direct satellite links," he added.

A Rapidly Expanding Sector

As of mid-2024, China had over 546 commercial space enterprises registered and operational, according to Wang Cheng, Secretary General of the China Space Foundation. This flourishing sector has been strongly supported by national policies, including a medium- and long-term development plan for civil space infrastructure from 2015 to 2025. China's efforts continue with a future roadmap for civil space infrastructure development from 2026 to 2035, overseen by Li Guoping, chief engineer at the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Related Links
China Great Wall Industry Corporation
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DRAGON SPACE
China launches additional satellites for Spacesail Constellation
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 24, 2025
China successfully launched 18 new satellites on Thursday as part of the ongoing expansion of the Spacesail Constellation. The satellites were sent into orbit from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province, utilizing a modified Long March 6 carrier rocket. The launch occurred at 1:15 pm Beijing Time, marking the sixth satellite deployment for the Spacesail Constellation. Each satellite reached its designated orbit, further advancing the commercial low-orbit satellite network. This mis ... read more

DRAGON SPACE
Chinese Satellite Companies Expand Global Services with Advanced Networks and Constellations

Astronaut insights from mid mission aboard Tiangong

China launches additional satellites for Spacesail Constellation

Shenzhou XIX crew completes second spacewalk mission

DRAGON SPACE
How things stand in China-US trade tensions with Trump 2.0

Trump says talks Monday with Canada, Mexico over sweeping tariffs

China imposes tariffs on US energy, autos in trade war retaliation

Rubio lays down ultimatum to Panama over canal

DRAGON SPACE
DRAGON SPACE
Japan, US ministers express 'firm intent' to reinforce defence alliance

Trump trade threats overshadow European defence meet

Eyeing Trump and Putin, EU, UK, NATO leaders talk defence

Starmer to urge Europe to 'bear down' on Putin at landmark talks

DRAGON SPACE
Aging reactors require a concrete solution

New Belgian government ditches nuclear power exit plan

GE Hitachi selects BWXT to manufacture reactor pressure vessel for BWRX-300

US utilities collaborate to accelerate GE Vernova's BWRX-300 deployment

DRAGON SPACE
SKorea to question DeepSeek over user data; Italy restricts DeepSeek, opens probe

WhatsApp says disrupts Paragon spyware campaign

Italy data watchdog restricts DeepSeek, opens probe; SKorea to question DeepSeek over privacy

Philippines arrests 100 suspects in online scam farm raid

DRAGON SPACE
Aging reactors require a concrete solution

New Belgian government ditches nuclear power exit plan

GE Hitachi selects BWXT to manufacture reactor pressure vessel for BWRX-300

US utilities collaborate to accelerate GE Vernova's BWRX-300 deployment

DRAGON SPACE
Green energy projects adding to Sami people's climate woes: Amnesty

New Study Enhances Trust in Wind Power Forecasting with Explainable AI

Trump casts chill over US wind energy sector

US falling behind on wind power, think tank warns

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.