Chinese aerospace company Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co. has announced a groundbreaking advancement in satellite-to-ground laser communication, achieving an unprecedented data transmission rate of 100 gigabits per second. This breakthrough, achieved last weekend, marks a significant step forward in paving the way for 6G technology.
The company, which operates Jilin-1, the world’s largest commercial remote sensing satellite constellation with sub-metre resolution, revealed that the record-breaking speed—10 times faster than its previous achievement—was successfully tested between a truck-mounted ground station and one of the constellation’s 117 satellites.
Wang Hanghang, the head of laser communication ground station technology at Chang Guang Satellite, emphasized the competitive edge this innovation brings. “Musk’s Starlink has introduced a laser inter-satellite communication system but has yet to deploy laser satellite-to-ground communication. While they may possess the technology, we are leading the way with large-scale deployment,” Wang stated.
The company plans to integrate these advanced laser communication units across the entire Jilin-1 satellite constellation, aiming to enhance operational efficiency. By 2027, Chang Guang Satellite intends to expand the network to include 300 satellites, further solidifying its position as a global leader in satellite technology.
This achievement not only outpaces current industry standards but also establishes China as a key player in the race toward 6G communication, a development poised to revolutionize global data networks.