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China plans to launch 12 IoT
satellites next year
Sept. 7
China will see intensive
satellite launches for the country's space-based
Internet-of-Things (IoT) network in 2021, sources with
the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
(CASIC) said.
The CASIC is scheduled to launch 12
satellites of the Xingyun project, China's first
low-Earth-orbit narrowband constellation for IoT
operated by its subsidiary Xingyun Satellite Co. The
company plans to send a total of 80 satellites into
space to complete the three-stage network around 2023.
The first stage of the project was
completed after two satellites Xingyun-2 01 and 02
entered their orbits in May this year. The satellites
utilize inter-satellite laser links, which enable them
to communicate over long distances and hence upgrade the
real-time performance of communication services.
The second stage will see 12
satellites launched next year, further improving the
project's global service capability, said the CASIC.
The space-based IoT will have wide coverage and
allow easy connection in all weathers and multiple
fields. According to engineers, the Xingyun project is
anticipated to solve IoT businesses' communication blind
spots born from the deficient coverage of cellular
wireless communication networks.
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