China develops satellite internet as Chinese researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University of Posts and Telecommunications achieve a major milestone: a 1 Gbps laser-based satellite internet link from a geostationary satellite orbiting 22,807 miles above Earth, about five times faster than current Starlink speeds.
“Chinese researchers have just achieved a new 1Gbps data transmission from a geostationary satellite – this kind of speed is unheard of, even for Elon Musk’s Starlink.”
How They Did It
- Adaptive Optics (AO): Corrects atmospheric distortions via a 5.9‑foot telescope equipped with hundreds of micro‑mirrors at Lijiang observatory.
- Mode Diversity Reception (MDR): Captures multiple laser signal modes and selects the strongest in real time.
- Combined AO‑MDR System: Boosts usable signal reliability from around 72 % to over 91%.
Why It Matters
- Speed and Coverage: Achieves 1 Gbps, significantly faster than Starlink’s typical 25–100 Mbps downlink.
- Huge Distance, Minimal Power: Works over more than 22,000 miles using a low‑power (2 W) laser akin to a nightlight.
- Low Error Rate: The system significantly reduces transmission errors and enhances stability, critical for real‑time content delivery and space communication.
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Beyond Starlink
This proof‑of‑concept could open doors to ultra‑high‑speed internet in remote regions, advanced satellite navigation, and smoother communications with space missions. Though in early stages and published in Acta Optica Sinica, it positions China as a strong challenger in optical satellite communications.
A complimentary report from Economic Times dubbed it “Star Wars goes real,” noting the feat was powered by AO‑MDR cutting atmospheric noise over 36,000 km.
What’s Next?
- Commercialization: Scaling technology will be required for operational satellites and widespread ground stations.
- Constellation Plans: China’s Qianfan (Spacesail) LEO constellation aims to rival Starlink with over 15,000 satellites.
- Future Research: Expansion into 6G satellite backbones and mobile ground stations is underway, with Jilin‑1 tests reaching 100 Gbps for remote sensing.
“Chinese researchers have just achieved a new 1Gbps data transmission from a geostationary satellite – this kind of speed is unheard of, even for Elon Musk’s Starlink.”
“The combined AO‑MDR method helped correct the shape of distorted light beams and captured multiple signal modes simultaneously, improving both signal strength and reliability.”
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