China’s satellite laser shreds Starlink, 1 Gbps data from 36,000 km high with a 2-Watt laser: Elon Musk cooked?

In a stunning leap that seemingly bends the laws of physics, Chinese researchers from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have cracked the code on ultra-efficient high-orbit laser transmission.

The breakthrough has massive implications for global satellite communications going forward.

The team successfully beamed data at an astonishing 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) from a geostationary satellite orbiting 36,000 km above Earth — using just a 2-watt laser, comparable in power to a household LED bulb.

Breakthrough

This breakthrough, tested at the Lijiang Observatory in southwestern China, employs a cutting-edge system that harnesses 357 micro-mirrors within an adaptive optics array, SCMP reported.

This tech dynamically reshapes laser signals as they pass through atmospheric turbulence, maintaining crystal-clear data integrity over a distance that typically distorts transmissions.

Unlike SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which uses low-Earth orbit satellites around 550km altitude and consumes hundreds of watts per transmission, China’s laser-driven approach packs five times Starlink’s speed with far less power and without needing thousands of satellites.

Adaptive optics, mode diversity reception

The system smartly combines adaptive optics (AO) and mode diversity reception (MDR) technology to filter and recover scattered laser signals.

A multi-plane light converter (MPLC) then splits the signal into 8 channels, with real-time algorithms choosing the clearest paths to minimise errors and boost overall stability.

This shift toward laser-based satellite communication not only promises ultra-high bandwidth and low latency but also sidesteps radio-frequency congestion and interference faced by traditional satellites.

Advancing 6G

This tech could propel advancements in 6G internet, remote sensing, and national defence, marking a pivotal moment in the space technology race.

With such innovation, the future of global connectivity may be laser-focused far above Earth, reshaping internet access and laying the groundwork for the next generation of space-based communication networks.

Geostationary satellite advantages

Geostationary satellites offer several key advantages that make them vital for global communications and broadcasting.

Wide coverage area: Positioned about 36,000 kilometers above the equator, a single geostationary satellite can cover roughly one-third of the Earth's surface.

This means only three well-placed satellites can provide near-complete global coverage excluding polar regions. ​

Continuous visibility: Because these satellites orbit at the same rotational speed as the Earth (as if the satellite is connected to a specific spot on earth by an invisible "pole"), they appear fixed in the sky relative to the ground.

Ground antennas do not need to track moving satellites, simplifying infrastructure and improving connection stability. ​

Reliable and stable bandwidth: The fixed position allows consistent signal strength and steady bandwidth. This is critical for services requiring uninterrupted communication like broadcasting, military operations, and emergency response. ​

Direct-to-phone

In a significant stride toward expanding satellite internet in China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted China Unicom a satellite mobile communication business license in September 2025.

This official approval authorises the state-owned telecom giant to provide direct-to-phone satellite connectivity and broaden its applications in maritime and emergency communications.

The ministry highlighted that this move will foster a moderately competitive market, breaking China Telecom's prior monopoly while making satellite internet services more accessible to everyday users.

As the satellite-mobile supply chain accelerates commercialisation, regulators plan to streamline market entry, tighten security oversight, and support high-quality growth aligned with China’s goals to become a space power and build a digital nation.