Science & Tech · Space · 1 day ago
China’s Guowang network connects Arctic and Antarctic in video call
In late September, researchers aboard three Chinese Arctic expedition ships made a video call to personnel at China’s Qinling Station in Antarctica.
The call used Guowang, China’s low-Earth-orbit satellite network, and had a reported delay of less than one second.
The test also included sending data between research ships and a Chinese marine information service.
Guowang is part of China’s effort to build its own satellite communications system, rather than rely on foreign providers such as Starlink.
The network has just over 180 satellites in orbit, far fewer than Starlink, and still has limits in coverage and capacity.
China plans to expand Guowang, aiming for 400 satellites by the end of 2027 and nearly 13,000 by 2035.
The test shows the network can support some communications in remote polar areas, but matching Starlink will require much greater coverage, capacity and resilience.
Chinese researchers connected the Arctic and Antarctic in a Guowang satellite video call with a reported delay of less than one second.
The call took place in late September between researchers aboard three Chinese expedition ships and personnel at Qinling Station in Antarctica.
State broadcaster CCTV reported the test, which was described as the first publicly reported test of the Guowang constellation.
The experiment also tested data transfers between research ships and China’s National Marine Data and Information Service.
Guowang has just over 180 satellites in orbit, while SpaceX’s Starlink operates roughly 11,000, according to Interesting Engineering.
- Who
- Researchers aboard three Chinese Arctic expedition ships and personnel at Qinling Station in Antarctica.
- What
- They made a satellite video call with a reported delay of less than one second.
- When
- Late September; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- Between the Arctic and Qinling Station in Antarctica.
- Why
- The test demonstrated Guowang’s communications capabilities; CCTV described it as progress toward independently controlled polar communications.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Guowang satellite launches began.
China’s Qianfan constellation began launching spacecraft.
Researchers made the Guowang video call between the Arctic and Antarctica.
- Delay
- Reportedly below one second
- Ships
- Xuelong, Jidi and Tansuo-3
- Antarctic station
- Qinling Station
- Guowang satellites in orbit
- Just over 180
- Guowang target
- 12,992 satellites by 2035
Sources
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