China has achieved a significant milestone in satellite communication, surpassing Starlink’s performance. According to a report by the Economic Times, Chang Guang Satellite Technology reached a transmission rate of 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) for satellite-to-ground laser communication. This is ten times faster than their previous record, positioning China ahead of Elon Musk’s Starlink in the space communication race.

This breakthrough was accomplished by transmitting data from a mobile truck-based ground station to one of the 117 satellites in the Jilin-1 constellation. The Jilin-1 network is recognized as the world’s largest sub-meter commercial remote sensing satellite network. The development is a key step in enhancing China’s space infrastructure and communication capabilities.

Wang Hanghang, the head of laser communication technology at Chang Guang, emphasized that Starlink, despite developing inter-satellite laser communication, has not yet implemented laser communication from satellites to the ground. Based on reports from Interesting Engineering, this gap allows China to take the lead with its advanced technology.

The mobile laser communication terminal developed by Chang Guang is compact and relocatable. This allows it to avoid adverse weather conditions, ensuring reliable data transmission. The terminal was integrated into the Jilin-1 satellite launched in June 2023.

The transmission rate of 100 Gbps is significant—equivalent to transmitting ten full-length movies in just one second. This technology is expected to improve the efficiency of satellite communication, which will be crucial for future applications like 6G internet and remote sensing.

Chang Guang’s recent achievement follows their October 2023 success, where they reached a 10 Gbps transmission rate. The latest milestone positions China as a strong player in the satellite communication field.

As part of the plan, Chang Guang aims to deploy laser communication technology across all satellites in the Jilin-1 constellation by 2027, according to Wang Hanghang. This will further enhance the efficiency of their satellite network, facilitating global communication and data transmission.

SOURCE: ECONOMICTIMES | PHOTO: ABCNEWS