China has submitted filings covering plans for more than 200,000 satellites to the International Telecommunication Union, signaling an aggressive move to secure orbital positions and radio spectrum as global competition in low Earth orbit (LEO) accelerates.
The applications, published on the ITU’s public database, span more than a dozen proposed satellite constellations. Individual networks range in size from a few dozen spacecraft to vast systems approaching 100,000 satellites, underscoring the scale of China’s long-term ambitions in space-based communications and data services.
Illustration of satellite coverage for telecommunications services. Credit: ESA-Science Office
The largest proposals are two constellations known as CTC-1 and CTC-2, each listing 96,714 satellites. These filings were submitted by the Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation, a newly established research and development organization focused on advancing and commercializing radio spectrum technologies. Together, the institute’s submissions account for more than 95 percent of all satellites included in the Chinese filings, highlighting its central role in shaping the country’s future orbital strategy.
Beyond the institute, a wide range of state-linked, commercial, and private entities have also submitted plans. Filings include proposals from China Satellite Network Group and Shanghai Yuanxin Satellite Technology, as well as from major telecommunications operators China Mobile and China Telecom. Private space firms such as GalaxySpace, Guodian Gaoke Space Technology, and Spacety have also lodged constellation plans, pointing to broad participation across China’s communications and aerospace sectors.
Ding Botao, deputy director of information research at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said the sheer number of proposed satellites reflects China’s readiness to pursue coordinated, large-scale deployment in low Earth orbit. “The move signals China’s resolve and capability to carry out large-scale, systematic deployment in low-Earth orbit,” Ding said.
An expert from China’s national radio regulation center said that submitting network information to the ITU is a mandatory first step for satellite operators worldwide before any constellation can be deployed. Because satellite frequencies and orbital resources must be internationally coordinated to avoid harmful interference, filings are typically made two to seven years before launches are expected to begin.
The expert added that China has consistently adhered to ITU radio regulations in its satellite planning and operations. The process from international filing to actual launches and commercial service is often lengthy, and both the size and technical specifications of constellations can be adjusted as projects mature.
According to the expert, the scale of the latest filings does not mean that every satellite listed will ultimately be launched. Instead, such submissions provide regulatory flexibility and room for future optimization as technologies, business models, and market demands evolve. As multiple countries and companies race to propose constellations numbering in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of satellites, early claims on spectrum and orbital rights have become a strategic priority in the emerging era of densely populated low Earth orbit
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