China files a plan for 200,000 satellites, forming a national team to catch up with and surpass SpaceX

Beijing, Jan 12 — China reportedly filed for frequency and orbital resources at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) late last year, covering more than 200,000 satellites. Around 190,000 of those filings are said to come from a newly established institution widely described as part of China’s state-backed “national team.”

Experts cited in reports said the move suggests China is elevating satellite spectrum-orbit filings to a national strategic level, signaling stronger commitment to international competition in low-Earth orbit and an effort to narrow the gap with major commercial players such as SpaceX.

According to the reports, the filings were submitted in December 2025, with the bulk attributed to the “Radio Spectrum Development, Utilization and Technological Innovation Research Institute.” Public records indicate the institute was registered on Dec 30, 2025 in Xiong’an New Area and is affiliated with China’s radio monitoring system, with multiple partners involved — highlighting its role in the satellite internet ecosystem.

Analysts noted that under ITU rules, filings must be followed by staged deployment within specified timelines to retain rights, otherwise the resources may be reclaimed. They also cautioned that filings remain at the declaration stage, may not be fully approved, and do not automatically translate into actual deployment.

The reports also referenced SpaceX’s Starlink program, which has been authorized to deploy large numbers of satellites and has already launched more than 10,000. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently approved an additional tranche of second-generation Starlink satellites, expanding the number SpaceX is authorized to deploy.