Geely Launches 11 Satellites for Self-Driving Cars

Chinese automotive group Geely Holding announced today, Saturday, that it has launched 11 satellites into low Earth orbit, marking its second launch aimed at enhancing its capability to provide more accurate navigation for self-driving cars. Geely stated in a press release sent to Reuters that the satellites were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province in southwest China. The company added that it expects to have 72 satellites in orbit by 2025, with plans to ultimately establish a constellation of 240 satellites. In addition to providing high-precision positioning support for self-driving cars, Geely mentioned that its network will also serve other commercial functions such as connectivity with the consumer electronics sector. The Chinese military dominates satellite networks, but the government began allowing private investment in the country's space sector in 2014. Since then, commercial companies, some backed by local governments, have entered the sector, with the majority focusing on satellite manufacturing. The remaining companies are working on developing small launch vehicles, including reusable rockets.