China is Building Its Next AI Supercomputer, In Space

BEIJING: China has launched the first 12 satellites in a planned 2,800-satellite constellation designed to function as an orbital supercomputer. The mission, led by ADA Space in cooperation with Zhijiang Laboratory and Neijang High-Tech Zone, marks the world’s first space-based AI supercomputing.

Autonomous AI Processing in Orbit

Unlike traditional satellites that transmit raw data to ground stations for processing, these newly launched satellites are equipped to handle analysis independently. Each satellite carries an eight-billion parameter artificial intelligence model, capable of 744 tera operations per second (TOPS). Together, the 12 satellites can perform a combined five peta operations per second (POPS).

China’s long-term goal is to expand the constellation to achieve 1,000 POPS through the deployment of approximately 2,800 satellites, according to official plans.

Interconnected by Laser, Built for Speed

The satellites communicate via laser interlinks capable of up to 100 Gbps transfer rates. They also share 30 terabytes of distributed onboard storage, creating a cooperative, low-latency computing environment in space. This design allows the network to function with minimal reliance on Earth-based infrastructure.

Scientific Applications

The satellites carry a range of scientific payloads, including an X-ray polarization detector used to study high-energy cosmic phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts. Additionally, the constellation is capable of producing 3D digital twin data, enabling potential applications in disaster monitoring, urban planning, virtual tourism, and interactive media.

Addressing Data Bottlenecks in Space

According to the South China Morning Post, less than 10% of the data collected by conventional satellites is ever transmitted to Earth due to bandwidth and ground station limitations. Onboard processing helps bypass this constraint by analyzing data before transmission, thus reducing the volume of information that needs to be sent and improving response times for time-sensitive use cases.

Environmental and Strategic Advantages

Space historian and Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell noted that orbital data centers offer practical and environmental benefits. Powered by solar energy and cooled naturally in space, these systems can reduce the energy demand and environmental footprint associated with ground-based supercomputers. McDowell also stated that the United States and Europe may soon explore similar systems to keep pace with China’s advancement.