China to launch 156 minisatellites for better internet
China will launch a network of 156 minisatellites to facilitate global broadband coverage and commercial space development. The small low-cost satellites would be placed in an orbit 1,000 km above Earth to form a network to improve internet access. The project plans to send the first satellite before 2018, and all 156 satellites by 2025, Chinese news agency reported.
From K J M Varma Beijing, Mar 31 (PTI) China will launch a network of 156 mini-satellites to facilitate global broadband coverage as part of the countrys effort to give a wider push for commercial space development. This is the first low orbiting, networked satellite project, which will orbit 1,000 km above the ground, state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) said. "The network is a general satellite platform," said Bei Chao, a CASIC engineer. Small satellites are easy to mass produce and upgrade at low cost. The project is part of Chinas effort to give wider push to commercial space development. Low orbit helps avoid signal delay and satellite communication services with frequencies from 26.5 to 40 hertz improve Internet access. 