China’s new 100 Gbps satellite-to-ground laser tech leaves Starlink in the dust. And experts aren't sure what this means about the future of space communication.

 

 

China’s new 100 Gbps satellite-to-ground laser tech leaves Starlink in the dust. And experts aren't sure what this means about the future of space communication.

 

This advancement, led by Chang Guang Satellite Technology and its Jilin-1 constellation, positions China ahead of Elon Musk’s Starlink in deploying laser-based satellite communications. 

 

Unlike Starlink, which has not yet implemented satellite-to-ground laser communication, Chang Guang has begun large-scale deployment, aiming to network 300 satellites by 2027.

The innovation involves compact laser communication terminals, roughly backpack-sized, capable of transmitting high-speed data between satellites and to Earth. 

 

Mounted on mobile ground stations, these terminals offer enhanced reliability by avoiding weather disturbances.

 

The system’s success, equivalent to transmitting ten full-length movies in one second, underscores China’s rapid progress in laser communication technology and its potential for transforming navigation, 6G internet, and remote sensing.