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China Revolutionizes Space Technology: Building a Supercomputer in Orbit

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La voix du futur
10 minutes de lecture

China has recently taken a bold step in the race for space technology innovation by launching the first elements of an ambitious project: the construction of a supercomputer in Earth orbit. Dubbed the “Three-Body Computing Constellation,” this initiative aims to create a network of interconnected satellites functioning as a space supercomputer, capable of processing data in real time directly in space.

Contents

This project, driven by collaborations between entities such as ADA Space, Zhejiang Lab, and Neijang High-Tech Zone, positions China as a major player in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing in the space sector. This article explores this revolutionary project in detail, its objectives, technologies, implications, and the challenges it raises.

Project Context and Origins

China’s space program has experienced rapid growth over the past few decades. Since launching its first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1, in 1970, China has achieved numerous milestones, becoming the third nation to send astronauts to space in 2003 with the Shenzhou program, landing a rover on the far side of the Moon in 2019, and completing its Beidou navigation system in 2020, a rival to American GPS. Today, China is turning toward a new frontier: computing in orbit.

The “Star Compute” project, initiated by the Chengdu-based startup ADA Space in collaboration with Zhejiang Lab and Neijang’s high-tech zone, aims to deploy a constellation of 2,800 satellites to form a space supercomputer. On May 14, 2025, a Long March 2D rocket successfully launched from the Jiuquan launch base in Inner Mongolia, carrying the first 12 satellites of this constellation. This launch marks the beginning of a revolution in space data processing, with profound implications for science, industry, and geopolitics.

Objectives of the Space Supercomputer

The primary objective of the “Three-Body Computing Constellation” is to overcome the limitations of traditional satellite data processing methods, which require frequent and costly transmissions to Earth. By processing data directly in orbit, this network aims to:

  • Reduce latency: Real-time analysis of data collected by satellites eliminates delays associated with sending information to ground stations.
  • Improve efficiency: Satellites equipped with embedded AI models of 8 billion parameters can autonomously process massive volumes of data, minimizing dependence on ground infrastructure.
  • Support advanced applications: This orbital supercomputer could revolutionize fields such as natural resource monitoring, meteorology, disaster management, autonomous space exploration, and AI development.
  • Strengthen strategic autonomy: By reducing dependence on ground data centers, China mitigates risks related to cybersecurity and network congestion, a crucial advantage in the context of technological rivalry with the United States.

According to the Chinese newspaper Science and Technology Daily, this project positions China at the forefront of building global space computing infrastructure, an area where it directly competes with initiatives such as SpaceX’s Starlink.

Technology and Operation

The “Three-Body Computing Constellation” is based on cutting-edge technologies:

  • Computing power: The first 12 satellites offer a combined capacity of 5 million billion operations per second (5 petaoperations per second, or POPS), with a long-term goal of 1,000 POPS for the entire network.
  • Artificial intelligence: Each satellite integrates an 8 billion-parameter AI model, enabling autonomous data processing. This capability is essential for applications requiring rapid responses, such as real-time satellite image analysis.
  • Inter-satellite communication: Satellites communicate with each other via 100 Gbps laser links, ensuring smooth coordination and efficient data sharing.
  • Onboard storage: The constellation has a storage capacity of 30 terabytes, allowing for management of large quantities of data directly in orbit.
  • Energy and heat dissipation: Satellites harness solar energy and dissipate heat into space, reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint compared to ground-based data centers.

This network, developed by Guoxing Aerospace Corporation under the auspices of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), represents a major advancement in integrating AI and high-performance computing in space.

Scientific and Industrial Implications

The construction of an orbital supercomputer opens unprecedented perspectives:

  • Earth observation: Real-time processing of satellite data could improve monitoring of natural resources, climate modeling, and prediction of natural disasters.
  • Space exploration: Autonomous computing capabilities in orbit could support planetary exploration missions, analyzing astronomical data without depending on Earth.
  • Artificial intelligence: By linking terrestrial and space technologies, this project could accelerate the development of more powerful AI models, with applications in communication, navigation, and security.
  • Education and research: More than 60 universities worldwide have already integrated similar technologies into their programs, preparing a new generation of professionals to master space computing.

Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard University, has praised this initiative, noting that orbital data centers offer unique advantages in terms of energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.

Technological and Geopolitical Challenges

Building a supercomputer in orbit is not without challenges:

  • Technology: Managing power, heat dissipation, resistance to extreme space conditions, and inter-satellite communication require complex innovations. China is investing heavily in research to overcome these obstacles.
  • Cost: Deploying 2,800 satellites represents a colossal investment, although exact costs have not been disclosed.
  • Geopolitical rivalry: This project is part of an intense technological race with the United States, where initiatives such as SpaceX’s Starlink (more than 6,750 satellites in orbit, with a goal of 30,000) currently dominate. China seeks to assert its technological autonomy in the face of American sanctions, which limit access to cloud services from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
  • Security: By processing data in orbit, China reduces cybersecurity risks associated with terrestrial transmissions, but the project raises questions about the protection of sensitive data in a context of international tensions.

Comparison with Other Initiatives

Although the “Three-Body Computing Constellation” is unprecedented, it is not without competitors. SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, focused on Internet connectivity, illustrates the ambition of large-scale space infrastructure. However, the Chinese project stands out for its focus on high-performance computing and AI, rather than communications. Additionally, the United States has expressed concerns, with officials such as Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, considering restricting Chinese companies’ access to cloud services for training AI models.

Three-Body Computing Constellation

Future Perspectives

China plans to expand its constellation to 2,800 satellites, strengthening its position as a leader in the space and technology sectors. This project could redefine geopolitical balances by offering China strategic autonomy and increased technological influence. In the long term, the orbital supercomputer could transform how we explore the universe, model climate, and develop AI-based technologies. As noted by the Science and Technology Daily newspaper, this initiative marks a decisive step toward a global space computing infrastructure.

China’s space supercomputer project, embodied by the “Three-Body Computing Constellation,” represents a revolutionary advancement in integrating high-performance computing and artificial intelligence in space. By launching the first 12 satellites on May 14, 2025, China has laid the groundwork for an orbital network that could transform science, industry, and geopolitics. Despite technological challenges and international tensions, this project illustrates China’s ambition to redefine the frontiers of space technology. History may well remember this initiative as a major turning point toward a new era of exploration and innovation.

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