Thousand Sails (satellite network)

History

2026: Project cost of $943 million and 15,000 satellites - project details revealed

In January 2026, the details of the project for the deployment of the Thousand Sails large-scale satellite constellation in China became known. The cost of the project is estimated at $943 million. Its goal is to create a network of 15,000 low-orbit satellites by the early 2030s to provide broadband Internet.

According to Business Insider, the first 18 vehicles and 1 rocket were launched in August 2024 from the Taiyuan Cosmodrome in Shanxi province by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology. By January 2025, 72 satellites were already operating in orbit, and by the end of 2025 their number reached 648. The first stage of the program provides for the deployment of 1296 devices, which will create a regional coverage network.

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Фото: businessinsider.com

The Thousand Sails project is part of a national strategy to develop independent space infrastructure. In parallel, the state-owned Guowang group of 13 thousand satellites is being created in China, and Landray Hongqing is developing a Crane-3 system for 10 thousand devices.

The development of satellite constellations aims to achieve technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign services such as SpaceX's Starlink. Chinese developments include promising technologies, such as quantum key distribution through satellites. This method makes it possible to create exclusively secure communication channels through the laws of quantum physics.^[1][2]

2024: Launch of the first satellites

On August 6, 2024, China successfully launched the first batch of satellites into orbit as part of the Thousand Sails project. It involves the formation of a mega-communications group that will compete with Starlink. On the basis of the new satellite platform, the PRC plans to organize global high-speed Internet access.

The Thousand Sails Initiative, also known as the G60, is being implemented with the participation of Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST). The project provides for the launch of low-orbit spacecraft to provide communication services. At the first stage, the constellation will include 1296 satellites. In particular, by the end of 2025 it is planned to launch 648 of them to provide regional Internet coverage. In the future, the Thousand Sails infrastructure will unite about 14 thousand spacecraft.

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Фото: spacenews

The Long March 6A rocket (Changzheng-6A) with the first satellites of the Thousand Sails project launched from the Taiyuan Cosmodrome in northern China. The upper stage brought 18 vehicles into the calculated orbit. The success of the mission was reported by the China Aerospace Scientific and Technical Corporation (CASC).

According to the SpaceNews resource, in 2024 China plans to launch 108 satellites as part of this initiative. In the future, they will be launched into orbit in batches of 36 and 54. Usually, low-orbit satellites are located at a distance of 300 to 2000 km from the surface of the Earth. One of the advantages of such devices is the lower cost of creation and operation compared to satellites that are located in higher orbits. In addition, more efficient data transmission is provided. China, as noted, intends to actively develop the corresponding direction in order to reduce the lag behind the United States.^[3]

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