A Chinese state-owned company has launched the first 18 satellites in a bid to create a far-reaching orbital network aimed at rivaling Starlink, local media reported. The launch, launched by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology on Monday, included 18 satellites and a rocket, according to The China Securities Journal, published by state-run Xinhua news agency.

According to the publication, the rocket was launched from the Taiyuan Cosmodrome in Shanxi Province.

The satellites are the first step in the company’s effort to build a network of 15,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit, which it calls the Thousand Sails Constellation. The company said it plans to reach that final figure by 2030, according to The China Securities Journal.

Local media has widely referred to the project as a version of Starlink, which would launch around 6,000 satellites in China. Elon Musk has said he plans to eventually create a network of 42,000 satellites. The Thousand Sails constellation, also known as the G60 project, is one of three major satellite networks planned for the country. Each is expected to include 10,000 satellites or more.

Many are expected to orbit between 200 and 1,200 miles above Earth’s surface, around where Starlink satellites are normally located. The three constellations, along with dozens of ambitious space projects by other Chinese firms, are bolstered by the central government’s latest push to include the private sector in its science and technology ambitions.

Beijing hopes to build its own versions of vital technologies and infrastructure in a bid to make its industry self-sufficient and immune to potential external influence or pressure, or if necessary, war with the US or its allies.

Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology is backed by the Shanghai municipal government, but Reuters reported that the company has also raised funding from private investors and state-owned enterprises for its Thousand Sails constellation.

The other two groups are expected to put another 23,000 Chinese satellites into orbit to provide internet services.

China SpaceSat, a state-owned contractor, plans to deliver 13,000 satellites as part of the Guowang or National Network constellation. Commercial manufacturer Landray Hongqing is building the Crane-3 constellation, which should have 10,000 satellites, according to its documents. The China Securities Journal estimates the country’s space industry will be worth $321 billion by 2024.

According to the newspaper, the aviation sector’s commercial stocks reached their maximum daily price increases after the launch on Monday. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange does not allow stock prices to rise or fall by more than 10% of their value since the close of the previous trading day.