China's polar exploration vessel, the Polar Explorer, has reportedly completed tests for the semi-commercial use of domestically developed satellite internet along the Arctic route.
According to a report by the Korean news agency Yonhap on October 20, citing Xinhua News Agency, the Polar Explorer is currently engaged in its 16th Arctic exploration mission and has successfully verified network communications between the Arctic, Antarctic, and China's Qinghai Plateau during this voyage.
The network communication verification involves testing the data transmission speed, latency, and connection stability in real-world conditions between remote locations that lack ground base stations, such as the harsh polar regions and high plateaus.
Xinhua stated, "The domestically developed satellite internet communication system has been validated for operational stability in extreme cold, high altitude, strong winds, and icy fog, addressing the global communication 'last frontier.'"
During this expedition, online medical support was provided for the first time using China's satellite internet, connecting a hospital in Qingdao, Shandong Province, with the Polar Explorer crew. Additionally, data collection from Arctic buoys was conducted using domestic equipment.
The success of these tests is significant as it demonstrates China's capability to reduce reliance on Western low-Earth orbit satellite communication networks, such as SpaceX's Starlink, while proving its independent space internet infrastructure technology. Furthermore, it is seen as a strategic move to secure critical route data and enhance remote control capabilities in the Arctic, an area of increasing economic and military importance due to climate change, positioning China to lead in future polar resource development.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.