China works to develop a system of more than 300 satellites to provide global communications services

Beijing. March 6. Silkroadnews - China plans to deploy a network of more than 300 low-earth-orbiting satellites to provide global communications services, People’s Daily newspaper reported citing Bao Weimin, head of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Science and Technology Commission.
As soon as the system is completed, it will provide access to the Internet and communications throughout the planet, including in airplanes and on ocean vessels, Bao Weimin noted.
Consisting of small satellites in low orbits, the system will be capable to process all the incoming data simultaneously.
Low Earth orbit satellites are often used in satellite systems because the coverage area provided by a single such satellite covers only a small area that moves as the satellite travels at the high angular velocity necessary to maintain its orbit.
According to Bao, 54 satellites will be launched at the first stage of the three-phased project, and this year the first satellite will be delivered to orbit. After the completion of the project there would be more than 300 satellites orbited.
It is expected that the network of satellites will provide broadband or narrowband communications in the deep sea, at both the northern and southern polar regions, as all as across all the parts along the Belt and Road routes.
After putting the system into operation, it will be able to provide communication services to all communication media, including mobile devices, vehicles, ships and aircraft as a platform for information services in space.
The satellite cluster is also projected to facilitate commercial applications in intelligent communication, Internet access, Internet of Things services, information sharing, navigation systems as well as aerial and maritime monitoring, the report reads.