(Yicai) Sept. 6 -- Geespace launched its third batch of 10 satellites into low-Earth orbit today, expanding the reach of its space-based internet services worldwide, and bringing the satellite technology company under Chinese automotive giant Geely Holdings Group a step closer to US rival Starlink.

A Long March 6 carrier rocket carrying 10 satellites blasted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi province early this morning, Geespace said. The Shanghai-based firm now has 30 satellites at three different low-earth-orbit altitudes, which can provide 24 hours coverage to 90 percent of the world.

The internet constellation will be expanded to 72 satellites in the first phase which will provide low to medium-speed network services to the whole world by the end of next year, it said. In the second and third phases of the project, the number of satellites will increase to 264 and 5,676 respectively.

Geespace aims to provide global communication services by the end of this year, it added. In June it completed its first overseas space-based internet test in Oman and is currently collaborating with several telecom operators in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Geespace, which shares a chairman with Hangzhou-based Geely, launched its low-Earth orbit communication constellation project in 2019. Its services are already installed in several models of Zeeker, Geely's high-end electric vehicle marque.

Satellite communication technology can provide real-time and reliable communication support for autonomous vehicles. Starlink is also backed by a new energy vehicle maker. Its developer SpaceX is headed by Elon Musk, the chief executive officer of US electric car giant Tesla.

Editor: Kim Taylor