China Launches First Satellites for Ambitious Space-Based AI Supercomputer – A New Era of Orbital Computing?

China has officially kicked off its ambitious “Star Compute” program by launching the first 12 satellites of a planned 2,800-strong orbital supercomputer network. This project, spearheaded by ADA Space, Zhijiang Laboratory, and Neijang High-Tech Zone, marks a significant leap in space-based computing capabilities. But what exactly does this mean for the future of technology and strategic competition?

The satellites, part of ADA Space’s ambitious “Three-Body Computing Constellation,” are unique in their ability to process data in space, reducing their reliance on Earth-based stations. According to ADA Space, each satellite has an onboard eight-billion parameter AI model and can perform 744 tera operations per second (TOPS). Collectively, these initial 12 satellites boast a processing power of 5 peta operations per second (POPS). To put that into perspective, that's significantly more than the 40 TOPS required for a Microsoft Copilot PC. The eventual goal? A network of thousands of satellites achieving 1,000 POPs, a vision backed by the Chinese government.

These **satellites** aren't just about raw computing power; they also communicate with each other at up-to-100Gbps using lasers and share 30 terabytes of storage. Beyond scientific pursuits, ADA Space envisions applications for this technology in areas such as emergency response, gaming, and tourism through the creation of 3D digital twin data.

The advantages of a space-based supercomputer are manifold. The traditional limitations of satellite data transmission – slow speeds and limited bandwidth, which currently result in as little as 10% of satellite data reaching Earth – could be overcome. As Jonathan McDowell, a space historian and astronomer at Harvard University, pointed out, orbital data centers can leverage solar power and radiate heat into space, reducing energy needs and the carbon footprint.

This initiative is positioned to allow China to “take the lead globally in building space computing infrastructure,” according to ADA Space. The company, officially known as Chengdu Guoxing Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., has even filed for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, signaling its commitment to this burgeoning field.

The “Star-Compute Program” also aligns with China's national “New Infrastructures” initiative and its ambition to become a global leader in AI by 2030. As such, it fosters partnerships with organizations like Zhejiang Lab (backed by Alibaba Group) and companies like SoftStone and Kepu Cloud for ground-based support. Even the US and Europe could undertake similar projects in the future as they test edge computing in space.

With this launch, China seems to be forging ahead into a new era of space-based cloud computing. Will this lead to a new space race focused on computational power? What impact will this technology have on various industries and strategic global competition? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

• ADA Space
• satellite
• Star Compute