Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

208: Chapter 208 A ”Diplomatic Nuclear Bomb” in SpaceApril 18th - Geneva · International Telecommunication Union Emergency Meeting

10:00 AM Swiss time, Palais des Nations, Geneva.

The circular conference hall of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was filled with representatives from 193 member states. An emergency meeting was convened today with only one agenda item: reviewing the orbital application for China’s ”tianting project.”

The American representative, James Miller, was the first to speak.

This former NASA Deputy Administrator, now the Special Representative for Space Affairs at the United States Department of State, wore a sharp suit and spoke with passionate intensity:

”Everyone, today we face a severe challenge: China’s Star Rocket Company has applied to deploy 20,000 satellites in low Earth orbit between 500-600 kilometers. This is not just a commercial act; it is a barbaric seizure of limited orbital resources and a blatant challenge to the principle of peaceful use in the Outer Space Treaty!”

He pulled up a simulation animation:

In low Earth orbit, dense clusters of satellites formed a ”metallic cloud,” nearly obscuring the starry sky.

”What does 20,000 satellites mean?” Miller raised his voice. ”It is twice the total number of satellites currently in orbit worldwide! These satellites will seriously interfere with astronomical observations, increase the risk of space collisions, and create massive amounts of space debris. More importantly—they will monopolize low-orbit resources and deprive other nations of their right to development!”

The European representative spoke immediately after: ”The European Union supports Mr. Miller’s concerns. We request the ITU to reject the application, or at least reduce the number to 5,000. Low orbit is the common heritage of mankind and cannot be monopolized by any country or company.”

The Japanese representative: ”This will lead to a space arms race. We call on all parties to exercise restraint.”

The Indian representative: ”We need more technical details and safety guarantees.”

The live video was broadcast globally via satellite, with viewership exceeding 100 million.

For many, it was the first time they realized that space was becoming a new battlefield.

While Geneva was still locked in a war of words, intending to deprive China of the opportunity for peaceful space development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing had already begun its counterattack.

4:00 PM Beijing time, Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference.

Spokesperson Geng Yu, 58, was known for being sharp and rigorous. Today, a large screen stood behind him.

The room was packed with Chinese and foreign journalists, their cameras and microphones aimed at the podium.

”Good afternoon, members of the press,” Geng Yu began. ”First, I would like to respond to some false allegations made during this morning’s ITU meeting.”

The large screen lit up.

The first set of data: Global low Earth orbit satellite applications.

SpaceX Starlink: 12,000 approved, currently applying for an additional 30,000, totaling 42,000.

OneWeb (UK): Approximately 2,000 approved.

Amazon Kuiper: 3,200 planned.

China’s tianting project: 20,000 applied for.

”If 20,000 is called a ’monopoly,’ then what do you call 42,000?” Geng Yu asked calmly. ”Exclusivity? Or hegemony?”

The journalists below erupted in an uproar.

The second set of data: Percentage of satellites in orbit by country.

America: 48%

Russia: 12%

China: 12%

European Union: 10%

Other countries: 18%

”Who is monopolizing is clear at a glance,” Geng Yu said. ”Certain countries possess nearly half of the world’s satellites, yet they accuse China, which only accounts for 12%, of ’monopolizing.’ This logic is baffling.”

The third set of data (the trump card): Comparison of satellite decommissioning plans.

Left side: SpaceX Starlink satellites.

Design life: 5-7 years

De-orbiting method: No active thrusters, relies on atmospheric drag for slow decay

Decay time: 1-5 years (depending on orbital altitude)

Risk: Potential for collisions and disintegration during this period, creating debris

Right side: Tianting satellites.

Design life: 7 years

De-orbiting method: Equipped with ion thrusters for active de-orbiting

De-orbiting time: Within one year after decommissioning

Decommissioning orbit: Specially designed ”graveyard orbit,” far from commonly used orbits

”Our satellites will not only avoid becoming space junk, they will actively clean themselves up,” Geng Yu said. ”Meanwhile, the satellites of certain companies will drift in orbit for years or even decades, becoming sources of collision risk.”

He pulled up the final image: Simulation of orbital avoidance algorithms.

”Tianting satellites are equipped with an intelligent obstacle avoidance system that can monitor surrounding objects and automatically adjust their orbit. According to the assessment by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), this system’s impact on astronomical observations is 70% lower than that of existing satellites.”

The Western journalists present fell into a collective silence.

The questions they had prepared were crushed by these data points.

Geng Yu concluded:

”We have noticed that when certain countries talk about ’fairness,’ they always exclude the development rights of others from that ’fairness.’ China’s aerospace program will strictly follow international law and is willing to share data and jointly maintain space order with all countries.”

He paused, emphasizing his words: ”Of course, the prerequisite is mutual respect.”

Applause rang out.

It didn’t come from the Chinese journalists, but from journalists from several developing nations.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement was deafening, exposing the hypocrisy and double standards of Western countries before the global media—where only what benefits them is considered freedom and democracy, and everything else is a destruction of global peace and regional stability. Bullshit logic.

Boca Chica, Texas, America.

Musk was watching the live broadcast in his office, his expression growing increasingly grim.

When Geng Yu displayed the satellite decommissioning comparison data, he slammed his coffee cup onto the desk.

”Ion thrusters...” he muttered, ”They installed ion thrusters on every 200-kilogram satellite?”

The technical director explained in a low voice: ”Boss, although ion thrusters have low thrust, they have high specific impulse, making them suitable for long-term orbital adjustments. But the cost... is very high. It adds at least $500,000 to the cost of each satellite.”

”But they did it,” Musk said, ”and they proactively announced it.”

He knew what this meant: in the war of public opinion, Star Rocket had already seized the moral high ground—not only is our technology advanced, but it’s also environmentally friendly and responsible.

”Tweet it,” Musk said. ”Now.”

Five minutes later, Musk’s Twitter was updated:

”SpaceX supports fair competition but opposes any form of orbital monopoly. We are willing to discuss establishing an ’orbital coordination mechanism’ with StarFireRocket to ensure the sustainable use of space. At the same time, Starlink satellites are also upgrading their de-orbiting systems. #SpaceBelongsToAllMankind”

The tweet quickly trended.

But the comments section was brilliant:

”Translation: Don’t launch too many, leave some for me.”

”Musk is panicking; he didn’t expect the Chinese to not only build rockets but also handle PR.”

”So, will Starlink satellites actually become space junk or not?”

”Upstairs, look at the data: Tianting de-orbits within a year, Starlink takes 1-5 years. What do you think?”

Musk closed Twitter and told the technical director, ”Accelerate Starship testing. I want to complete at least one suborbital test flight before Star Rocket’s maiden flight.”

”But Boss, the Starship’s engines are still being tuned...”

”Then work overtime,” Musk interrupted. ”We cannot lose this race, whether in technology or public opinion.”

That evening, multiple countries and organizations issued statements.

Russian Space Agency (Russian Space Agency):

”We support a diversified space development landscape. Low-orbit resources should be shared by all mankind, not monopolized by individual nations. Russia looks forward to commercial launch cooperation with Star Rocket.”

Brazilian Space Agency:

”The tianting project will help Brazil solve communication coverage issues in the Amazon Rainforest region. We support this inclusive project.”

South African Ministry of Science and Technology:

”Africa’s digitalization process needs affordable satellite internet. We welcome the tianting project and are willing to explore cooperation.”

The most significant one came from the International Astronomical Union (IAU):

After a 72-hour emergency assessment, the IAU released a technical report:

”The orbital avoidance algorithm submitted by Star Rocket performed excellently in simulation tests. Its satellite orbital plane distribution and phase control have a manageable impact on astronomical observations. Meanwhile, its active de-orbiting scheme is worthy of promotion.”

This report was equivalent to giving the tianting project a ”scientific green light.”

Public opinion completely reversed.

Nature magazine commented: ”The tianting project demonstrates a new paradigm for responsible space development: high performance, manageable, and sustainable.”

The Economist: ”China is using technology and rules to reshape the space order.”

Even CNN had to admit: ”In this space debate, China has won the discourse with data and solutions.”

In Geneva, the ITU meeting continued.

But the atmosphere had changed.

Representatives from developing countries began to speak:

A representative from a small African nation stood up, his voice soft but firm:

”60% of our country has no internet. Starlink quoted us an access fee of $100 million per year. Tianting’s quote is $50 million and promises to gradually decrease. May I ask, what is fairness? Is letting the poor stay poor forever ’fairness’?”

”We need jobs, education, and healthcare; we need the internet. If Tianting can give it to us, we support it.”

Applause started from the back of the hall and gradually spread throughout the room.

The American representative’s face was ashen, but he could not refute it.

Finally, the ITU announced: The orbital application for the tianting project has entered the technical review phase, with a conclusion to be provided within 90 days.

But everyone knew that the political obstacles had already been cleared.