A Chinese state-owned enterprise on Tuesday successfully placed 18 satellites into orbit, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as China seeks to create its own version of US&nbsp;firm SpaceX's Starlink network.

The launch of the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) took place at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern Shanxi province.

The satellites were carried aboard a Long March 6 rocket and represent the first batch in SSST's "Thousand Sails Constellation" plan, CCTV reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-seven-but-six-continents-are-present-on-earth-claims-a-shocking-study-heres-how-747596">Not seven but six continents are present on Earth, claims a shocking study. Here's how</a>

The state-backed plan is one of China's answers to Starlink, SpaceX's growing commercial broadband constellation that has about 5,500 LEO satellites in space to provide near-global internet to consumers, companies and government agencies.

Starlink is a subsidiary of U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX space company.

LEO satellites usually operate at altitudes of 300km to 2,000km from the Earth's surface and have the advantage of being cheaper and providing more efficient transmission than satellites at higher orbits.

Control over the satellites that occupy these altitudes has significant military implications.

Since 2022, when the Ukraine war demonstrated the importance of Starlink to battlefield communications, media affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have published several editorials about the threat Starlink poses to China's interests.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-3-asteroids-hurtling-towards-earth-will-come-closest-on-this-day-747551">NASA warns 3 asteroids hurtling towards Earth will come closest on THIS day</a>

These editorials have described Starlink and SpaceX as part of the "space hegemony" the United States is trying to create in space, giving it a "unilateral space military advantage".

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

A Chinese state-owned enterprise on Tuesday successfully placed 18 satellites into orbit, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as China seeks to create its own version of US firm SpaceX's Starlink network.

A Chinese state-owned enterprise on Tuesday successfully placed 18 satellites into orbit, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as China seeks to create its own version of US firm SpaceX's Starlink network. The launch of the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) took place at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern Shanxi province. The satellites were carried aboard a Long March 6 rocket and represent the first batch in SSST's "Thousand Sails Constellation" plan, CCTV reported. Also read: Not seven but six continents are present on Earth, claims a shocking study. Here's how The state-backed plan is one of China's answers to Starlink, SpaceX's growing commercial broadband constellation that has about 5,500 LEO satellites in space to provide near-global internet to consumers, companies and government agencies. Starlink is a subsidiary of U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX space company. LEO satellites usually operate at altitudes of 300km to 2,000km from the Earth's surface and have the advantage of being cheaper and providing more efficient transmission than satellites at higher orbits. Control over the satellites that occupy these altitudes has significant military implications. Since 2022, when the Ukraine war demonstrated the importance of Starlink to battlefield communications, media affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have published several editorials about the threat Starlink poses to China's interests. Also read: NASA warns 3 asteroids hurtling towards Earth will come closest on THIS day These editorials have described Starlink and SpaceX as part of the "space hegemony" the United States is trying to create in space, giving it a "unilateral space military advantage". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

China launches first satellites of constellation to rival Starlink, says state media

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