China has taken a significant step towards building a powerful orbital supercomputer network, deploying the first 12 satellites of a planned constellation of 2,800. These satellites, a collaborative effort between ADA Space, Zhijiang Laboratory, and Neijang High-Tech Zone, represent a new approach to data processing in space. Unlike traditional satellites that primarily transmit raw data to Earth, these units are designed to process information onboard. Each satellite is equipped with an advanced 8-billion parameter AI model and boasts a processing power of 744 tera operations per second (TOPS), contributing to a collective capacity of 5 peta operations per second (POPS) for the initial group. The ultimate ambition is to create a 1,000 POPs network.
The satellites utilize high-speed laser communication links of up to 100Gbps, allowing them to share data and coordinate their operations. They also feature 30 terabytes of storage capacity. Beyond their computing capabilities, the initial satellites carry scientific payloads, including an X-ray polarization detector. The network’s data processing power will enable the creation of detailed 3D digital twins for diverse applications ranging from emergency response to virtual tourism. By processing data in orbit, China aims to address the limitations of conventional satellite communications, where bandwidth constraints and availability issues often result in a small fraction of the collected data reaching Earth. According to a space historian, this approach also allows orbital data centers to leverage solar power and efficiently radiate heat, potentially reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint. This innovative project could inspire similar initiatives in the US and Europe.