Chinese automaker Geely has increased its constellation of satellites to 30 pieces

The Geely Holding Group is one of the largest automakers in the world, and in order to develop its proprietary infrastructure, it decided in 2018 to found Geespace, a subsidiary developer of satellite equipment. Last week, the third commercial launch of the corresponding communication devices increased their orbital constellation to 30 pieces.

Image source: Geespace

Two previous launches have already placed 20 Geesat communications satellites into low-Earth orbit; the first launch took place in the summer of 2022 and involved 9 spacecraft. There are now 30 branded communications satellites in orbit and operating. They, as the Nikkei Asian Review notes, cover 90% of the planet’s regions around the clock. Geely is currently negotiating with partners in Malaysia and Oman to ensure the operation of ground infrastructure in these countries.

Geely will begin providing commercial communications services this year around the world, and by the end of 2025 it expects to cover more than 200 million users. The company’s plan involves launching 72 first-generation satellites into orbit, which will provide communications at moderate speeds. Later, a constellation of satellites will be deployed, allowing mobile phones to operate in service areas throughout the Earth. The third phase of the project development involves providing clients with high-speed Internet access via a satellite network. It is obvious that the bulk of Geespace’s customers will also be users of vehicles produced by the parent holding Geely.