【U.S. Think Tank: China May Be Developing Domestic "Starlink"-Style Satellite Constellation】
According to a report published on May 1, 2026, by the U.S. Institute for Strategic Studies (ISW), China may be developing its own domestic version of SpaceX’s Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Starlink has been widely used during the Ukraine war to extend the operational range of drones and improve frontline communications.
On April 26, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a report via its official account detailing China’s emerging low-orbit satellite network. The report claims that MIIT is advancing a LEO satellite constellation plan comprising over 10,000 satellites—matching the scale of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation in terms of number.
A report published by Hong Kong-based media outlet South China Morning Post on April 25 analyzed an article from a Chinese journal released in April, which described low-orbit satellite capabilities as a “strategic weapon” determining the future of information sovereignty. The U.S.-based RAND Corporation assessed that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) views low-orbit satellite capacity as a key enabler for joint operations and a critical technology for enhancing communication resilience against jamming or kinetic attacks—thanks to the large number of satellites within an effective LEO constellation.
Starlink has been extensively deployed in Ukraine, becoming a crucial tool for significantly extending drone combat ranges beyond the frontlines while maintaining rapid communication with frontline units. Russia’s loss of Starlink connectivity in February likely hindered its ability to conduct long-range drone strikes.
An article published by PLA Daily on March 25 warned against relying on foreign low-orbit satellites for military missions, citing Russia’s experience using Starlink as a cautionary example. China has likely observed Starlink’s extensive use in Ukraine and leveraged this experience to accelerate the development of its own low-orbit network.
If China’s low-orbit satellite constellation achieves performance comparable to Starlink, it could significantly enhance the PLA’s communication capabilities with frontline forces under adversarial conditions and extend the operational range of its drones during potential conflicts over the Taiwan Strait.
The April 26 article in Global Times also emphasized the potential of China’s indigenous low-orbit network to expand connectivity to remote areas such as the open seas. This suggests the PLA may utilize the LEO constellation as a backup communication network to maintain contact with naval forces deployed at sea when facing communication or electronic interference. These capabilities could strengthen the PLA’s ability to effectively coordinate joint operations during emergencies, isolating and reclaiming Taiwan.
Disclaimer: All equipment data cited above originates from reports published on the U.S. Institute for Strategic Studies website.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864061953734858/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.