BEIJING—China’s ambitious push into space has taken a dramatic turn, with regulators filing for orbital slots to accommodate nearly 200,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit. The filings, submitted to the International Telecommunication Union, dwarf SpaceX’s Starlink plans and ignite fears of Beijing dominating the crowded realm of satellite broadband while raising alarms over potential military applications.

The applications, detailed in recent disclosures, outline two massive constellations—CTC-1 and CTC-2—each potentially supporting up to 96,714 satellites, for a combined total of 193,428 spacecraft. This move comes amid escalating tensions over space debris and collision risks, with China previously criticizing Starlink as a hazard. Experts question the feasibility but warn of strategic implications. OilPrice.com reports that the scale prompts international concern about military use and control of near-Earth space.

Filings Signal Beijing’s Orbital Ambition

China’s Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation lodged the ITU submissions in early January 2026, reserving frequencies and positions primarily in low-Earth orbits between 300 and 1,200 kilometers. This positions the proposed network to compete directly with Starlink’s growing fleet, which SpaceX aims to expand toward 50,000 satellites. The Chinese plans target global broadband coverage, but skeptics highlight the extraordinary launch cadence required—potentially thousands annually.

ITU rules mandate filings within five years of deployment to secure slots on a first-come, first-served basis, giving China a regulatory foothold even if launches lag. New Scientist notes the application suggests the largest mega-constellation ever proposed, questioning its true purpose amid opacity from Beijing.

Collision Risks and Starlink Backlash

Beijing’s rhetoric has sharpened, with state media labeling Starlink a ‘crash risk’ after SpaceX secured U.S. FCC approval for 7,500 more second-generation satellites. Chinese officials argue the U.S. network exacerbates orbital congestion, where over 12,000 active satellites already orbit, most operated by SpaceX. The proposed Chinese swarm would quadruple Starlink’s ambitions, intensifying debris concerns in the most valuable low orbits.

South China Morning Post details how the filings follow China’s complaints, with the CTC constellations designed for orbits as low as 350 kilometers to minimize latency, mirroring Starlink’s architecture. Industry analysts estimate China would need to eclipse SpaceX’s Falcon 9 reuse rates with its Long March rockets to realize the vision.

Technical Hurdles Tower Over Plans

Deploying 200,000 satellites demands unprecedented manufacturing and launch infrastructure. SpaceX, with thousands of Starlink birds aloft, benefits from vertical integration and rapid iteration. China, via state-backed firms like China Satellite Network Group, trails in reusable rocketry but advances with projects like the Qianfan constellation, aiming for 10,000 satellites by 2030.

Sources close to the ITU say enforcement of ‘paper satellites’ is lax, allowing speculative filings without penalties for delays. SatNews highlights the strategic bid to quadruple SpaceX’s goals, noting Beijing’s filings cover diverse inclinations for polar and equatorial coverage.

Military Shadows in Satellite Swarms

Western intelligence agencies scrutinize the plans for dual-use potential. Analysts suggest the constellations could enhance China’s military communications, surveillance, and anti-satellite capabilities, countering U.S. dominance. ‘This isn’t just about internet access; it’s about controlling the high ground,’ said a U.S. space policy expert, speaking anonymously.

Interesting Engineering reports China cites Starlink risks to justify its expansion, planning launches into the early 2030s. Posts on X from SpaceX accounts emphasize Starlink’s operational leads, like direct-to-cell capabilities with 400 satellites enabling global texting without ground infrastructure.

Global Regulatory Ripples

The ITU filings trigger a multinational review, with Europe and allies probing spectrum interference. SpaceX has reserved slots for its full 50,000-satellite architecture, but China’s volume could fragment available orbits. FCC approvals for Starlink continue, with Elon Musk touting latency advantages from 350-kilometer altitudes—over 100 times closer than geostationary rivals.

PCMag breaks down the dual filings totaling 193,428 satellites, underscoring feasibility doubts given China’s current orbital assets. Recent X activity from Musk counters critics on fuel impacts and AI integration for future sats.

Launch Cadence and Economic Stakes

China’s space budget, estimated at $15 billion annually, funds accelerated Long March 8A production for mega-constellations. Qianfan’s pilot phase launched 18 satellites in 2024, a fraction of ambitions. Starlink, serving millions of users, generates billions in revenue, funding expansions Musk claims will outpace rivals through laser interlinks.

Industry insiders predict a debris mitigation crisis, with models showing Kessler syndrome risks if deployments surge unchecked. Gizmodo warns the proposal would flood orbits, outnumbering all existing constellations combined.

Strategic Counterplays Emerge

U.S. policymakers debate export controls on satellite tech amid the race. India’s rival constellation and Europe’s Iris² add to the fray. China dismisses concerns, framing its plans as equitable access to space resources. ITU deadlines loom, pressuring Beijing to demonstrate progress or risk slot forfeiture.

For SpaceX, the threat spurs innovation: next-gen V3 Starlink satellites promise higher capacities. As filings proliferate, the orbital domain braces for a new era of superpower rivalry, where bandwidth battles could reshape global connectivity and security.