Reuters reports that Elon Musk’s Starlink network is facing increasing challenges as it struggles to maintain its leading position in the high-speed satellite internet market. Competitors include a state-backed Chinese company and Project Kuiper, another service funded by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos.
Shanghai-based SpaceSail signed a deal to enter the Brazilian market in November and said it was in talks with more than 30 countries. Two months later, in January, the company began operations in Kazakhstan.
Since 2020, Starlink has launched more satellites into low-Earth orbit (up to 2,000 km) than all its competitors combined. Satellites operating at such low altitudes efficiently transmit data, providing high-speed internet for remote communities, ships, and warring militaries.
Beijing sees Musk’s leadership in space as a threat. China is investing heavily in rival companies and funding military research into satellite tracking systems.
