Imagine supercomputers floating high above Earth, working non-stop. That idea is becoming real as China launches a new kind of satellite network. It’s not just about exploring space anymore—it’s about computing there too.
Twelve satellites kick off powerful new network
China launched 12 advanced satellites from the Jiuquan Centre on Wednesday. They went up aboard a Long March 2D rocket just past noon. These satellites form the first group in China’s space computing network.
Each satellite has smart computing systems and communication links. The network is called the Three-Body Computing Constellation. It’s being developed by Zhejiang Lab with state support. When finished, it could process one quintillion operations every second.
This total output—1,000 peta operations per second (POPS)—will match or exceed Earth’s fastest supercomputers. For context, America’s El Capitan supercomputer runs at 1.72 POPS. That machine is housed at California’s Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
Space-based cloud could ease Earth’s energy strain
Experts say computing in orbit offers unique benefits. “It’s very fashionable right now,” said Jonathan McDowell from Harvard. Space data centres can use solar energy and vent heat into space. This reduces carbon footprints and energy needs on Earth.
The International Energy Agency expects global data centres to consume huge amounts of power. By 2026, they may use over 1,000 terawatt hours yearly. That’s about as much as all of Japan. Cooling these centres also demands billions of litres of water.
In 2022, Google alone used over 19 billion litres. These growing demands have pushed the search for better options. That’s where satellites step in, offering smarter data handling from space itself.
AI in orbit could speed up data access
Traditionally, satellites collect data and send it back later. But ground stations and bandwidth often limit transfers. Less than 10 per cent of data usually reaches Earth.
China’s new satellites process data directly in orbit. Each one handles 744 trillion operations per second. Together, they offer 5 POPS and 30 terabytes of storage.
The satellites link through lasers with 100-gigabit speeds. They also carry an AI model with 8 billion parameters. These tools allow real-time computing without long delays.
Developers across China helped build this constellation. Zhejiang Lab designed the AI and computing systems. Guoxing Aerospace developed the satellite platforms and handled assembly. HiStarlink provided the laser communication terminals.
This first flight will test laser data sharing and sky observations. If successful, it could change how we use and share space data.
As nations race to lead in space technology, this launch marks a major step for China’s computing power—now extending far beyond Earth.
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