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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Chinese just majorly surpassed Musk's Starlink network
In a stunning leap forward for space technology, Chinese scientists have achieved an unprecedented breakthrough in satellite communication, using a laser as weak as a nightlight to outpace the speeds of Starlink. Operating from an altitude of 36,000 kilometersmore than 60 times higher than SpaceXs Starlink networkthis Chinese satellite has demonstrated a level of data transmission far superior to what Starlink can offer, pushing the boundaries of what many thought possible.
At the heart of this success is a 2-watt laser, which was able to transmit data at an astounding 1 Gbps. This speed is five times faster than Starlinks capabilities, which are limited to a few megabits per second despite operating at a lower altitude of around 550 kilometers. According to Interesting Engineering, the laser, though faint as a candles glow, managed to push data through Earths turbulent atmosphere, overcoming a challenge that has long plagued satellite communications: atmospheric turbulence.
https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/06/china-strikes-hard-chinese-satellite-pulverizes-starlink-with-a-2-watt-laser-36000-km-from-earth/e.

newdeal2
(3,002 posts)And how we're going to get asbestos back?
allegorical oracle
(5,172 posts)
PhilG
(33 posts)Johonny
(23,964 posts)I don't think you want a constellation the size of starlink 60 times higher...
hueymahl
(2,808 posts)And satellites that high have latency that makes them unusable for many purposes. Still a cool technology advancement.
JI7
(92,128 posts)2naSalit
(97,095 posts)Currently handing it to them.
Disaffected
(5,691 posts)Here's the actual Starlink individual satellite capacity:
Satellite Model Approx. Total Bandwidth
V1 / V1.5 ≈ 20 Gbps (usable ~15 Gbps)
V2 Mini ≈ 80100 Gbps
V3 (planned) ≈ 4 Tbps (4,000 Gbps)
Doesn't sound like "pulverizes" to me.
ToxMarz
(2,462 posts)than anything with Musks fingerprints on it.