China successfully launched five new satellites into orbit, including three experimental satellites designed to test vital technologies for the future development of space-based AI computing networks. The launch was carried out using a Lijian-1 Y15 carrier rocket developed by CAS Space Technology, which took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in the Gobi Desert of northwest China. This marked the 15th launch of a Lijian-1 mission since July 2022.
To date, the Lijian-1 rocket has deployed 110 satellites totaling over 16 tons in payload, making it the only civilian commercial Chinese rocket to have transported more than 100 satellites into space. The country’s commercial space sector is experiencing a shift toward demand-driven, large-scale satellite deployments, fueled by rapid growth in satellite internet services, commercial remote sensing, and space-based computing, according to the chief designer of the mission.
Founded in 2018 and based in Guangzhou, CAS Space has built a versatile launch service lineup that includes dedicated launches, rideshare missions, and shared capacity options. This approach allows clients to efficiently deploy payloads into orbit through increasingly routine launch operations.
The three experimental satellites launched today include the Jitian Star A-04, Chengguang-1, and Gande-1 01. The data collected from their in-orbit operations will help establish the foundation for future large-scale space-based AI computing networks.
Jitian Star A-04 is China’s first satellite equipped with embodied AI. Its primary objective is to validate an in-orbit embodied intelligence operating system, assess the adaptability of domestically produced graphics processing units (GPUs) in space, and test autonomous management of large onboard AI models and satellite operation. The satellite aims to gather critical engineering data necessary for expanding space-based computing networks.
Additionally, Jitian Star A-04 features advanced intelligent computing devices based on local GPUs, satellite routers, and laser communication systems. It is capable of performing onboard intelligent computing, establishing high-speed links between space and ground, managing its own health status, and conducting autonomous task planning, command generation, and data processing in orbit.
Chengguang-1 functions as a technical test satellite to examine space computing infrastructure. It will assess the performance of onboard servers, computing platforms, and thermal management systems under extreme space conditions, laying the groundwork for developing stable, scalable space-based computing clusters.
Gande-1 01’s mission is to carry out in-orbit recognition and classification of tiny space debris, including target extraction, trajectory calculation, and autonomous cataloging. This capability is crucial for ensuring the safe and stable operation of future low-Earth orbit satellite constellations.