Galaxy Space, a satellite internet startup in China, is looking to expand its services to include military applications and support the country’s hypersonic vehicle program by providing broadband connectivity, contributing to China’s advancements in space technology.
According to the South China Morning Post, Galaxy Space successfully launched six experimental satellites in March 2022 and documented a later test where they achieved continuous communication between six of their satellites and a fast-moving terminal for about 25 minutes with no interruption in bidirectional data transmission.
The researchers believe that Galaxy Space’s technology is capable of providing broadband connectivity to hypersonic vehicles, but additional testing, development, and verification are necessary.
Despite the Chinese government’s decision to construct a national satellite constellation comprising 13,000 satellites, Galaxy Space’s research and development and manufacturing facilities may find a role within the project in the future. In the meantime, the company is seeking to expand its services to include military applications, which is expected to provide a boost to China’s hypersonic research.
Last year, Galaxy Space secured new funding, which the company says values it at $1.58 billion. This investment is expected to further support the firm’s goal of providing broadband connectivity to support China’s hypersonic vehicle program and strengthen its presence in the satellite internet market.
In April 2022, the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) also set up a satellite data center in Wenchang city in the country’s Hainan province in an effort to enhance international space cooperation.