China Proposes 200,000-Satellite Megaconstellation, Sparking Space-Traffic Debate
China’s Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilisation and Technological Innovation filed with the ITU to launch two constellations of 96,714 satellites each—about 193,428 in total, i.e., nearly 200,000—more than ten times the satellites currently in orbit. If approved, the plan would unfold over 14 years with milestones, but observers say it may mainly reserve spectrum and orbital slots rather than deploy immediately, highlighting growing congestion in Earth's orbit.
