China is making waves in the space industry with a bold proposal to deploy nearly 200,000 satellites, igniting speculation about the country’s intention to create a vast ‘mega-constellation’.

The Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation, a newly established organization, submitted applications on December 29 for the creation of two massive satellite constellations.

These proposed constellations, named CTC-1 and CTC-2, would collectively feature 96,714 satellites, each strategically placed across 3,660 distinct orbits.

Should this ambitious project come to fruition, it would significantly surpass SpaceX’s ambitious plan to launch 49,000 Starlink satellites, redefining the scale of satellite networks.

Combined, the CTC-1 and CTC-2 constellations would constitute the largest satellite network ever conceived, potentially monopolizing a segment of low-Earth orbit and limiting opportunities for competitors.

While Chinese authorities have yet to disclose the specific objectives of these satellites, experts are voicing concerns over possible security and defense implications associated with such a large-scale deployment.

As reported by China in Space, the Nanjing University of Aeronautics claims that the satellites will focus on: ‘Low-altitude electromagnetic space security, integrated security defence systems, electromagnetic space security assessment of airspace, and low-altitude airspace safety supervision services.’

This suggests the constellations may play a similar role to the SpaceX Starshield satellites used by the US military for secure tracking and communications.

China has filed an application to launch almost 200,000 satellites into orbit, sparking concerns that the country might be building a mega-constellation (stock image) 

These applications were filed with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a UN body that allocates spectrum allowances in space.

With the applications filed, other operators will need to demonstrate to the ITU that new satellites in this orbit won’t interfere with the constellation’s operations.

These satellites may have any number of benign functions, from tracking extreme weather and providing navigation for aircraft to offering Starlink-style communication services.

However, the applications come at a time of increasing tension between the space ambitions of China and the US.

Not only are the two nations racing to be the first to establish a permanent presence on the moon, but they are also competing for dominance in the field of low-Earth orbit.

Military satellites form part of the so-called ‘kill mesh’, an automated network linking sensors, satellites, communications systems and weapons.

In the war in Ukraine, satellite communications and the ability to jam the enemy’s own satellites have been critical to shaping the conflict.

Additionally, analysts have recently become concerned that the behaviour of China’s satellites is becoming increasingly erratic and dangerous.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has increasingly pursued space capacity to provide communications and surveillance. Experts are concerned that this new constellation could form part of that capacity 

The constellation may be similar to Starlink’s Starshield system for secure communications, which has been used to great effect by Ukrainian troops fighting Russia’s invasion (pictured) 

China appears to be testing several ‘fast movers’ capable of moving around the geostationary orbit belt (GEO), lifting falling satellites back into orbit or potentially sabotaging US space assets.

Speaking at an event at Chatham House in March, Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence with the U.S. Space Force, said: ‘There are a number of what the Chinese refer to as these experimental communication satellites that are out in GEO, and yet these GEO satellites.

‘They’re sliding, or they’re moving very frequently across the GEO belt, which is a behaviour that is very uncharacteristic of a satellite that’s intended to provide satellite communication.’

Mr Lerch added: ‘We [U.S. Space Force] see great risk right now because of the unprecedented growth, as well as the unmanaged competition.’

For its part, China has been clear that it sees space as a legitimate frontier for competition with the US.

As early as 2021, President Xi Jinping claimed that space was an ‘important strategic asset for the country that must be well managed and utilised and, more importantly, protected.’

China now has approximately 1,000 satellites in orbit, marking a significant increase from around 40 satellites in 2010.

While these two new constellations might become part of China’s growing military space presence, the more serious worry is that they may be part of a ‘land grab’.

China has been clear that it sees space as a legitimate area for competition, with President Xi Jinping (pictured) calling space ‘an important strategic asset for the country’

By staking their claim with the ITU, the Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation has effectively locked off a huge section of GEO.

Under the ITU’s rules, they must launch at least one satellite within seven years of the initial filing, with another seven years to complete launching all the satellites.

China might have legitimate aims to build the constellations, but there is nothing preventing China from filing a ‘dummy’ application to lock off a section of space for later use.

Victoria Samson, Chief Director of space security and stability for Secure World Foundation, told New Scientist: ‘It is possible they’re just trying to create some space for later on.’

This would not be the first time that a nation has attempted such a manoeuvre.

In 2021, Rwanda filed an application for a constellation of 327,000 satellites in 27 orbits that it had absolutely no realistic ability complete.

Similarly, it seems extraordinarily unlikely that China even has the capacity to complete CTC-1 and CTC-2 if it wanted to.

China’s commercial sector can currently produce about 300 spacecraft per year, with plans to expand up to 600, while the state can produce several hundred more.

China does not have the rocket launch capacity to realistically complete this project, launching only 94 rockets last year. This makes it likely that the application is a form of ‘land grab’ to secure orbital space for future use. Pictured: A Chinese Long March-2F rocket launches in October 2025

However, China would need to launch 500 satellites per week, every week, for seven years to get 200,000 satellites in orbit.

In 2025, China launched a record 92 rockets into space but hundreds, if not thousands, would be needed to complete the project.

Even within China, experts don’t seem to seriously believe that this project will ever be completed.

Yang Feng, General Manager of commercial satellite maker Spacety, told China Daily: ‘Leading in terms of filing applications does not mean surpassing in final execution.

‘Turning these plans into operational constellations faces major challenges in terms of systems engineering, manufacturing and launch capacity.’

This makes it more likely that China is simply attempting to secure a large section of orbit for later use.

Perhaps ironically, this move comes just weeks after China lambasted SpaceX for creating ‘safety and security’ concerns by locking off sections of orbit with its own satellite constellations.

‘With the unchecked proliferation of commercial satellite constellations by a certain country, in the absence of effective regulation, has given rise to pronounced safety and security challenges,’ a Chinese representative said at an informal UN Security Council event.

THE NINE FIRMS WORKING ON NASA’S RETURN TO THE MOON

Astrobiotics’ Peregrine lander is one of the many in the running

Astrobotic Technology : The Pittsburgh-based firm was founded in 2008 by Carnegie Mellon professor Red Whittaker. It was among the many teams that participated in Google’s $20 million Lunar XPrize, which shut down this year without a winner.

Astrobiotic’s lunar lander, dubbed Peregrine, stands on four shock-absorbing legs and attaches to the launch vehicle via a standard clamp.

‘The Peregrine Lander precisely and safely delivers payloads to lunar orbit and the lunar surface on each mission,’ the firm says.

‘Payloads can be mounted above or below the decks, and can remain attached or deployed according to their needs.’

Deep Space Systems: The systems engineering company from Colorado is long been a subcontractor to NASA and other aerospace giants, including Lockheed Martin. 

The firm develops everything from plans and interface control documents to ground software tools for missions. Deep Space Systems says it focuses on the ‘the design, development, integration, testing and operations of science and exploration spacecraft.’

 Their lunar lander concept is a rover that appears to feature smaller scouting robots that can be deployed.

Draper: The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based laboratory is a not-for-profit research and development organization. Draper develops everything from autonomous systems and biomedical solutions to systems. 

Notably, Drapers accomplishments include a device that measures cabin air on the International Space Station to check for volatile organic compounds.

The firm’s concept lander, dubbed Artemis-7, will sit on four mechanical legs to carry out sample collection and return.

Firefly Aerospace: Firefly showed off a concept for a commercial launch vehicle and a lunar lander. 

While the firm hasn’t released much detail just yet, it appears to be a three-stage system upon which the lander sits at the very top.

Intuitive Machines: The Houston-based firm also unveiled a concept lander that looks much like R2D2. 

The Nova-C lander is the key component of its Lunar Payload and Data Service plan. It’s capable of 24/7 data coverage, and can hold a payload of at least 85 kg.

The firm says it can land anywhere on the moon.

The Houston-based firm also unveiled a concept lander that looks much like R2D2 (left). Firefly showed off a concept for a commercial launch vehicle and a lunar lander (right)

Lockheed Martin: The aerospace giant unveiled its McCandless Lunar Lander, named after late NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless.

Lockheed Martin named its lunar lander after late NASA astronaut, Bruce McCandless

It’s ‘capable of transporting large payloads weighing hundreds of kilograms – including stationary scientific instruments, deployable rovers, or even sample return vehicles – to the surface of the Moon,’ the firm says.

‘The lander uses a proven propulsive landing approach that relies upon on-board radars and a set of rocket thrusters firing 10 times a second to slow to just five mph before touching down. 

‘Once on the lunar surface, the lander can provide power, communications and thermal management for sophisticated payloads.’

Masten Space Systems: Masten’s XL-1 is a ‘small, single use lander’ that can carry 100-kg payload.

‘The XL-1 is designed to offer a mission duration that is minimally sufficient to land on the lunar surface, transmit payload activation commands, and activate the payload release/deployment mechanism,’ the firm says.

Masten’s XL-1 is a ‘small, single use lander’ that can carry 100-kg payload

Moon Express: Cape Canaveral-based Moon Express was previously pegged to develop a fleet of low-cost robotic spacecraft that can be assembled like Legos.

The initial spacecraft, known as MX-1E,is a similar size and shape to the R2D2 droid from Star Wars. It will hop across the lunar surface on its legs.

Last year, the firm said it hoped its ‘Harvest Moon’ expedition will take place by 2020, including the first commercial sample return mission, which also begins the business phase of lunar resource prospecting.

Orbit Beyond: The New Jersey firm unveiled a four-legged concept lander that could soon be used to deliver payloads to the moon. The firm has yet to reveal more details on the project.