Overview: China's major space programs in 2020
6. Hongyan satellite constellation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced in 2018 that China will establish a constellation of more than 300 low-orbit satellites to provide global communication services.
It is planned a basic network consisting of 60 satellites will be built in 2020. A narrow band system will be built at around 2023 and in 2025 a broadband system will be completed.
Once completed, the satellite communication network will take the place of the ground-based network and allow a mobile phone to be connected everywhere on the planet, either in a remote desert or at sea, according to CASC.
Hongyan will put an end to users' difficulties in making a phone call or using the internet when they are in a desert or remote mountain areas. The constellation will also help the Beidou system enhance its signal and improve positioning accuracy.
