China wants to develop large-scale satellite network for the internet
China also wants to build a network of satellites in space to ensure internet access everywhere. However, specialists warn that space is gradually becoming overcrowded.
The Chinese government has set up a company, China Satellite Network Group, to launch at least 13,000 satellites to ensure full broadband coverage. Remote areas and areas at sea can be provided with fast internet via satellites.
But the Chinese are not alone: the American SpaceX with the Starlink project, the British OneWeb and Amazon are also developing a large-scale satellite network. The Chinese have the advantage that, like Starlink, they can use their rocket launches.
However, experts point to dangers for space travel. The orbit around the earth is gradually becoming overcrowded, it sounds.
In addition, the principle of first come first served applies in the room. Space scientist Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, fears a major collision will be inevitable at some point.
He, therefore, advocates a supervisory body for space traffic. That body should also limit the number of satellites at a certain altitude.
The many satellites can also cause light pollution due to the reflection of sunlight on the solar panels of the satellites. The OneWeb satellites in particular, at an altitude of about 1,200 kilometres, could change the starry sky, fears the astrophysicist. The lower runways at 500 kilometres, which Starlink uses, would have less impact.
