China Prepares To Launch First Satellites For Massive G60 Starlink Constellation

China's ambitious plan to establish a giant internet constellation is about to take off. The country is gearing up for the first launch of its G60 Starlink megaconstellation in early August. This initial mission will carry 18 satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the beginning of a project that aims to deploy over 12,000 spacecraft in total.

The G60 Starlink constellation is designed to compete with similar ventures like Elon Musk's Starlink. These megaconstellations aim to provide global internet coverage by blanketing Earth with a network of satellites that can beam high-speed data down to users.

The first batch of G60 satellites is expected to leave the factory in Shanghai soon and head to the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China for launch. The specific launch vehicle remains undisclosed, but experts believe the Long March 6A rocket is the most likely candidate for the job due to its capacity for low Earth orbit deployments.

This launch represents a significant milestone for China's space industry. The country has been rapidly developing its spacefaring capabilities in recent years, and the G60 project is a major step forward in its goal of becoming a leading space power.

The success of the G60 constellation hinges on several factors. China will need to maintain a steady launch cadence to achieve its target of 12,000 satellites. Additionally, the constellation's functionality and ability to compete with existing networks will be closely watched by the global space industry.

One thing is certain: the launch of the G60 satellites in August ushers in a new era of competition in the race to provide internet access from space.