SkyNet (Satellite Internet)

2024: Network Construction

On May 9, 2024, China successfully launched the Changzheng-3B launch vehicle with the Zhihui Tianwang-01 satellite (Smart SkyNet-01), which will be used in the deployment of the new SkyNet satellite Internet system. To create a global network, China plans to use a satellite constellation of 16 or 32 spacecraft located 20 thousand km from Earth. By comparison, GPS satellites operate at a distance of about 20,200 km from Earth, while Chinese BeiDou satellites operate at a distance of 21,500 km.

The development of the SkyNet project is being carried out by the China Aerospace Scientific and Technical Corporation (CASC). It states that the new network will be able to provide high-speed Internet without "blind spots" anywhere in the world. It is also noted that after the completion of all stages of construction, SkyNet will be able to offer personalized broadband Internet services to all users without location restrictions. In addition, the network can be used to provide communication in the event of natural disasters and other emergencies.

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Xinhua

The Smart SkyNet-01 satellite was developed by Tsinghua University in conjunction with the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology to test communications developments that, in particular, will be used by Chinese bases in Antarctica. During the launch, the CZ-3B rocket (model CZ-3B/E) was used - a three-stage carrier with a fairing diameter of 4.2 m. It reaches 56.3 m in length and is capable of putting up to 12 tons of payload into low Earth orbit (5.5 tons into geostationary transition orbit).

CASC notes that the satellite is equipped with a multi-beam high-speed microwave link, inter-satellite two-way laser communication and a digital processing and data transfer platform.^[1]

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