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China is hunting for 'treasure' in the Indian Ocean with help from US's NASA; what's really happening in India's neighborhood?

China is hunting for 'treasure' in the Indian Ocean with help from US's NASA; what's really happening in India's neighborhood?

India.com17-07-2025
There is a power struggle between the United States and China in the Indian Ocean. The Chinese presence and activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have increased substantially in the last few years. This is undoubtedly unsettling for both India, with the challenge of China's immediate presence in its neighborhood, and for the United States, which is becoming increasingly concerned about Beijing's expanding influence.
What is the 'treasure' China is searching for beneath the Indian Ocean?
The fight for supremacy in the Indian Ocean is well known, as is the clash between the two nations for control over the global mineral resource wealth. In this context, a surprising fact has come to light — it has now been disclosed that America has been a key player in assisting China with its mining efforts in the Indian Ocean.
As per a recent article from the South China Morning Post(SCMP), scientists in China have expressed appreciation to NASA, the U.S. space agency, for providing China with very significant data about the Indian Ocean. Chinese oceanographers have been using this information to expedite the search for minerals in the Indian Ocean. On June 12, the Chinese research team published a paper in the 'Chinese Journal of Tropical Oceanography' on how the satellite data boosted their research, reported the South China Morning Post. The team led by Mao Huabin, of the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, wrote, 'Thank you, Nasa … for providing the gravitational field data.'
What kind of data did NASA provide, and how did China access it?
Such unexpected collaboration has raised several questions: Why are two competitors— China and the U.S.— partnering in India's backyard? What's driving this unlikely relationship? According to the report, the U.S. agency did not directly assist China. But the United States' twin GRACE satellites detected an unusual pattern southeast of India while mapping the oceans. Afterwards, NASA detected an unusual spike in gravity readings over a relatively flat seabed several thousand metres deep. The space agency then made this data publicly available online, free for anyone to access and use.
Who is helping China in this deep-sea exploration mission—directly or indirectly?
Chinese oceanographers who came across the data decided to dig deeper. In 2022, they outfitted the Shiyan 6, one of the most advanced research vessels in the world, with advanced instruments and went on a deep-sea trip of more than 12,000 nautical miles.
Chinese researchers found that regions of the oceanic crust where these layers were upthrust upward were enriched with minerals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare Earths. This upthrust was attributed to underlying magma. They were able to discover the target areas for exploration, saving years of investigation and millions of dollars in the process.
In appreciation, Mao Huabin's team from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology wrote, 'Thank you, Nasa … for providing the gravitational field data.' U.S. legislation prohibits NASA from working with China in any aspect.
According to the South China Morning Post(SCMP) report, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE) project is a multi-national initiative process in Potsdam, Germany; that is to say, access to the gravity measurements is disseminated via academic channels without any government military agendas, hence the Chinese scientists were not impeded in by international regulations.
The Chinese research team thanked not only NASA but also the German Aerospace Centre for the public data. As deep-sea mining is becoming more urgent internationally, it is clear that the race to exploit underwater mineral resources is accelerating.
In April, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order effectively permitting American companies to engage in deep-sea mining without needing authorization through the United Nations. This illustrates how serious the U.S. government is about extending its influence over marine mining.
China has United Nations permission to explore the Indian Ocean and other international waters. It has more submersibles capable of going to the ocean's deepest trenches than anyone else. Chinese shipyards are constructing vessels at nearly 200 times the pace of the U.S. shipyards, according to the report.
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China's 2-watt satellite laser outperforms Starlink with 1 Gbps speed from 36,000 km — is this a breakthrough for communication or a warning shot in space warfare?
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China's 2-watt satellite laser outperforms Starlink with 1 Gbps speed from 36,000 km — is this a breakthrough for communication or a warning shot in space warfare?

The space race just got a powerful upgrade—not with rockets, but with light. A Chinese satellite, floating 36,000 kilometers above Earth, has stunned the world by using a 2-watt laser to send data at speeds five times faster than Starlink. No weapons, no destruction—just a major breakthrough in space-based communication. Synopsis Chinese satellite laser communication has taken a big leap in space technology. A satellite from China sent data to Earth using just a 2-watt laser from 36,000 km in space, reaching speeds five times faster than Starlink. While rumors claimed it "pulverized" Starlink, the truth is there was no attack, only a record-breaking data test. Scientists used a smart system to beat Earth's atmosphere and send the signal clearly. Chinese satellite laser breaks communication records from 36,000 km in space- In July 2025, Chinese scientists accomplished a breakthrough in satellite communication, successfully transmitting data from a satellite using a 2-watt laser beam over a staggering distance of 36,000 kilometers—the height of geostationary orbit. The test, conducted by a team from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved a downlink speed of 1 Gbps, far surpassing typical speeds delivered by SpaceX's Starlink network. ADVERTISEMENT This development sparked global headlines, with some sources falsely claiming China had 'pulverized' Starlink satellites. In truth, no Starlink satellite was targeted or damaged. The experiment was purely focused on next-generation optical communication, not an act of warfare or sabotage. The original story that went viral on social media platforms suggested that a Chinese satellite had fired a powerful laser and 'destroyed' or 'damaged' Starlink satellites. This claim is completely inaccurate. In reality, the laser used was non-destructive and designed for communication, not combat. The 2-watt laser beam, operating in the near-infrared spectrum, was aimed at a ground station to demonstrate the ability to transmit high-speed data through the Earth's atmosphere. The feat was especially impressive given the challenges posed by atmospheric turbulence, diffraction, and weak signal strength over such long distances. The Chinese research team overcame the limitations of traditional laser communications by using a combined system of adaptive optics (AO) and mode diversity reception (MDR). This system is referred to as AO-MDR synergy. Here's how it worked: Adaptive optics corrected distortions in the laser beam caused by atmospheric interference. Mode diversity reception captured and decoded the distorted signal using multiple overlapping modes to preserve data integrity. Despite the beam being only 2 watts in power—less than what many home lightbulbs use—it achieved data speeds of 1 Gbps, about five times faster than Starlink's average satellite internet speeds. ADVERTISEMENT Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, uses thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver internet service globally. While Starlink can reach download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps for most users, the Chinese geostationary satellite reached 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) using a fraction of the energy. The key difference lies in the communication method. Starlink primarily uses radio waves, while China's satellite used laser-based optical communication, which allows for higher bandwidth, less signal interference, and greater data integrity—especially over long distances. ADVERTISEMENT While this particular experiment was peaceful and scientific, it's important to note that China is also actively developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), including high-powered lasers and microwave systems. These could eventually have anti-satellite (ASAT) applications. China's military has proposed concepts such as submarine-launched laser platforms, which could stealthily target and disable satellites from under the ocean surface. These systems could use retractable masts equipped with high-energy lasers capable of blinding or damaging satellite sensors or communication payloads. ADVERTISEMENT According to U.S. Space Force assessments, China is on track to field fully operational space-based or ground-based laser weapons by the late 2020s, raising concerns among Western defense analysts and policymakers. General Chance Saltzman, head of the U.S. Space Force, has repeatedly warned that China is developing a full suite of counterspace capabilities. 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These 7 animals found on Earth can survive in space, names include cockroach, Tardigrade, Brine Shrimp and…, check full list here
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