Early Wednesday, China launched 12 satellites into orbit as part of an ambitious on-orbit computing project. The launch, conducted by a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, successfully deployed the satellites for a space computing constellation. This project is a collaboration between the startup ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab.
ADA Space revealed that the 12 satellites constitute the "Three-Body Computing Constellation," designed to process data directly in space, minimizing reliance on terrestrial computing resources. The constellation boasts a combined processing power of 5 peta operations per second (POPS) and 30 terabytes of onboard storage. Advanced AI capabilities, 100 Gbps laser inter-satellite links, and remote sensing payloads are integrated into the satellites, with onboard data processing reducing transmission needs. One satellite also carries a cosmic X-ray polarimeter to detect and classify transient celestial events.
This project signifies a notable shift from traditional satellites focusing solely on sensing or communication towards multifunctional units serving as data processors and AI platforms. The constellation is part of the larger "Star-Compute Program," aiming to build a vast network of 2,800 satellites. ADA Space anticipates this constellation will meet the increasing demand for real-time space computing and position China at the forefront of this emerging industry. The implications of this development are far-reaching, potentially revolutionizing space-based cloud computing and introducing a new dimension to strategic competition.
ADA Space, founded in 2018, is a commercial company specializing in AI-driven satellite technology. Zhejiang Lab, established in 2017, is a collaborative effort involving the Zhejiang provincial government, Zhejiang University, and Alibaba Group. The Star-Compute Program also involves other companies such as SoftStone and Kepu Cloud contributing to ground-based infrastructure development. This ambitious program aligns with China's "New Infrastructures" initiative and its goal to achieve global AI leadership by 2030.
This launch marked China's 26th orbital launch attempt of the year. Future launches include a Zhuque-2E, Ceres-1, Long March 7A, Kinetica-1, and the Tianwen-2 mission.