How Fast Is China Deploying Its Guowang Satellites Compared to Starlink?

China has aggressively accelerated its Guowang broadband satellite constellation launches in 2025, completing five separate satellite batches in just one month. Multiple launches within weeks, including four launches in less than three weeks as of mid-August, highlight this rapid deployment pace.

In contrast, SpaceX's Starlink, the current leader in satellite internet, has typically launched larger batches of 24 to 60 smaller satellites per mission with a more established cadence since 2019. As of August 2025, Starlink has over 8,000 operational satellites with a long-term goal of over 40,000 units.

Launch Frequency and Satellite Size

Guowang batches usually carry fewer satellites per launch, typically 8 to 10, due to the satellites' larger size. They are arranged inside rockets in a unique double-decker formation to optimize space. Starlink satellites are smaller and launched stacked vertically, allowing 24 to 28 per Falcon 9 mission.

Despite Starlink's higher satellite count and more mature deployment schedule, China's intensified launch cadence signals Beijing's strategic urgency to build its national satellite internet infrastructure swiftly.

Did you know?
Guowang satellites are arranged in a unique double-decker layout inside rockets, unlike Starlink's stacked vertical satellite configuration.

Challenges and Strategic Goals

China faces significant logistical and technological challenges to meet International Telecommunication Union (ITU) deadlines requiring at least 10 percent deployment by 2026 and 50 percent by 2032. To maintain orbital rights, the country must sustain or ramp up its launch frequency.

Guowang’s ambitious plan aims for approximately 13,000 satellites, focusing on high-orbit altitudes around 1,100 kilometers versus Starlink’s lower orbits between 340 and 550 kilometers, impacting coverage and latency strategies.

China’s pathway demands streamlined rocket production, efficient launch processing, and mitigation of orbital debris risks as it competes for dominance in the fast-growing satellite internet market.

As of August 2025, China ranks as the world’s second-largest satellite operator by number of active spacecraft, trailing only the United States, marking an intense era of orbital competition and innovation.