A Chinese satellite operating from 36,000 kilometers above Earth has achieved laser-based data transmission speeds that significantly outpace Starlink. Using a 2-watt laser, the system reached 1 Gbps, five times faster than what SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit constellation currently delivers.
This development marks a major step in satellite communication technology. It demonstrates that high-speed laser data links can be achieved from geostationary orbit, a position traditionally limited by signal degradation and latency challenges. The Chinese satellite’s performance introduces a potential new standard in space-based internet delivery.
Laser communication systems have long promised higher speeds and lower latency compared to traditional radio frequencies. Yet transmitting clean, stable signals through the Earth’s turbulent atmosphere has been a significant obstacle. The solution presented by the Chinese research team offers a technical answer to that problem—and could reshape the future of orbital data networks.
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Adaptive Optics and Mode Diversity Reception
The breakthrough hinges on a dual-system stabilization method combining adaptive optics (AO) with mode diversity reception (MDR). Together, they compensate for atmospheric turbulence that typically distorts laser beams traveling through the atmosphere.
Led by Professor Wu Jian of Peking University and Liu Chao of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the team used AO to sharpen distorted light signals and MDR to collect scattered beams, stabilizing the link across vast distances. This approach allowed the 2-watt laser to maintain a high-quality connection from geostationary orbit—an altitude more than 65 times higher than Starlink’s.
Signal Integrity Through Dynamic Channel Selection
Another key element of the system was a path-picking algorithm, tested at the Lijiang Observatory in southwestern China. The system split the laser signal across eight different channels, continuously evaluating their quality and selecting the most reliable ones in real time.
As reported by Indian Defence Review, this method minimized signal degradation and reduced error rates, even with weak laser power. It ensured uninterrupted, high-speed transmission by dynamically adapting to varying atmospheric conditions—adding an extra layer of precision and reliability to the satellite’s performance.
New Benchmarks for Space-Based Communication
By demonstrating that 1 Gbps can be transmitted from 36,000 km, the Chinese team has redefined expectations for geostationary satellite communication. In contrast, Starlink achieves similar speeds using a dense network of satellites orbiting at much lower altitudes.
The laser communication method also provides much broader bandwidth and reduced latency, offering a viable alternative to congested radio frequency channels. Fields like media streaming, real-time telemetry, and space operations could benefit from the improved stability and data rates delivered by this system.
