SpaceSail’s Ambitious Plan for Worldwide Satellite Internet is a Challenge to Starlink

SpaceSail is putting thousands of low Earth orbit satellites in space to challenge Starlink’s dominance in the field of broadband satellite internet service.

SpaceSail operates the Thousand Sails Constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that provide satellite internet access coverage.

Because of the closer proximity of LEO satellites, this allows for reduced latency in the delivery of Internet service, compared to traditional satellite Internet.

Like Starlink’s service, SpaceSail satellites will provide broadband Internet to areas that are underserved by traditional internet providers – rural and remote areas, including oceans, jungles, and deserts.

SpaceSail vs Starlink

Both SpaceSail and Starlink offer internet connectivity via their networks of low Earth orbit satellites. They are direct competitors, except that while Starlink is American, SpaceSail is Chinese.

How do they compare in terms of rollout? As at January 2025, Starlink had 7,000 satellites in orbit, while SpaceSail put its 197th LEO satellite in orbit in March 2025. That means SpaceSail currently has only a tiny fraction of the capacity of Starlink.

But that is understandable, considering that SpaceSail launched its first satellite only in August 2024 – barely five (5) months earlier. Starlink put its first satellites in orbit in May 2019, so it has a 5-year headstart.

SpaceSail’s rollout plans have a target of about 600 satellites in orbit by the end of 2025 and over 1,000 by the time the first phase of its rollout is completed. The longer-term goal is to have no less than 15,000 satellites in orbit by the year 2030. The Chinese are known to have speedy execution times, so it won’t be surprised to see thousands of SpaceSail satellites in operation in a matter of years.

Which countries will SpaceSail cover?

Where will SpaceSail be rolling out in first? For starters, everywhere that Starlink has struggled to gain a foothold in. That means its own home country of China (where Starlink is non-existebt), as well as large swathes of South America, Asia and Africa. These are regions with over 80% lacking coverage or service from Starlink.

In line with well-known Chinese policy SpaceSail will also make a play for some of those countries where Starlink is already present. If they are smart, those countries will allow competition, which is in the best interest of their people.

Brazil has already signed a deal with SpaceSail and other countries are at different stages of talks with them as well.

Industry watchers are convinced that Africa, South America, and Asia (along with spots in the Middle East) will eventually be dominated by the Chinese satellite internet provider. China already has good economic relations and development projects in many of those countries. Adding this will be a piece of cake.

It is also expected that SpaceSail’ a service will also come at more affordable tariffs when compared to Starlink, making it even more appealing to the target markets.

Rollout timeline

There is no official rollout schedule published yet, but SpaceSail says it is on course to start commercial service before the end of 2025.

Who owns SpaceSail?

SpaceSail, also called Qianfan, the Thousand Sails Constellation, or G60 Starlink, is managed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Ltd (SSST), a corporation owned by the Chinese Government through the Shanghai Municipal Council.