Chinese aerospace companies have submitted applications for more than 200,000 satellite constellation frequencies ahead of 2026, marking the largest centralized international frequency application in China’s history and signaling a major step forward in the country’s commercial space development.
According to information released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), multiple Chinese aerospace firms completed the filings during the final week of 2025. The move reflects a clear long-term vision, with Chinese companies planning satellite deployment and space infrastructure over the next decade and beyond, rather than focusing on short-term launch activity.
From Breakthroughs to Systematic Advancement
Industry experts note that China’s commercial aerospace sector is undergoing a structural upgrade, shifting from isolated technological breakthroughs to systematic and coordinated development. This includes the deep integration of launch vehicles, satellite manufacturing, ground systems, and operational services.
By applying for frequency allocations at such a large scale, Chinese companies are laying the groundwork for sustained constellation deployment, signaling maturity in both technological capability and industrial planning. This approach strengthens the foundation for stable commercial operations and long-term growth across the space value chain.
Large-Scale Constellations Take Shape
The applications cover more than a dozen satellite constellations, according to ITU records. Chinese commercial aerospace firm Galaxy Space confirmed its participation, aligning with its long-term constellation strategy.
Two constellations—CTC-1 and CTC-2—emerged as the core drivers of this round of applications, with each planning 96,714 satellites, bringing their combined total to over 190,000 satellites. These projects highlight China’s ambition to build large-scale, networked satellite systems capable of supporting communications, data services, and future space-based applications.
Regulatory Discipline Supports Sustainable Growth
To ensure efficient use of orbital and spectrum resources, the ITU requires satellite constellations to meet clear deployment milestones: 10 percent deployment within two years, 50 percent within five years, and full deployment within seven years. These rules encourage practical implementation and reinforce the importance of industrial readiness, manufacturing capacity, and launch efficiency.
China’s growing commercial aerospace ecosystem is well positioned to meet these requirements, supported by expanding production capabilities and an increasingly frequent launch schedule.
Boosting the Space Economy and High-Tech Industry
In 2025, China’s commercial aerospace sector achieved multiple milestones in launch vehicle development, including test flights of reusable rockets. These trials, widely recognized as important learning steps, demonstrate rapid progress in core technologies critical to lowering launch costs and enabling large-scale constellation deployment.
Industry reports indicate that China’s commercial space sector has entered a new stage of scale, commercialization, and market expansion. The steady operation of the Hainan commercial aerospace launch site, combined with more frequent launches and accelerated constellation planning, has driven breakthroughs across manufacturing, launch services, satellite operations, and downstream applications.
According to industry insiders, the application for more than 200,000 satellite frequencies sends a strong signal of confidence in the future of China’s space economy. It reflects not only the sector’s technological readiness, but also its growing role in supporting digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and high-value innovation.
As commercial space becomes an increasingly important pillar of China’s technology ecosystem, large-scale constellation planning is expected to generate significant economic spillover effects, driving growth across aerospace, communications, data services, and emerging industries tied to space-enabled technologies.