A Chinese laboratory has announced the successful deployment of an integrated network of satellites carrying 10 artificial intelligence models. The development marks a significant step in China’s ambitions to build a space-based infrastructure powered by AI, with potential implications for fields ranging from space exploration to smart city development.
According to a statement from the Zhejiang Laboratory, orbital tests have demonstrated the satellite constellation’s ability to perform advanced computing operations. These include remote sensing, precise identification of infrastructure and buildings, and the accurate classification of gamma-ray bursts with a reported 99% accuracy.
The project, which launched its first group of 12 satellites in May 2025, aims to eventually include more than 1,000 satellites. Once completed, the network is projected to achieve an operational capacity of approximately 100 quintillion operations per second, enabling data processing in space and direct delivery to users.
The laboratory indicated that the network is intended to serve a variety of applications, including space exploration, the development of smart cities, and natural resource surveying, in collaboration with global partners. This initiative underscores China’s growing investment in space-based technologies and its commitment to leveraging AI for a wide range of applications.
The announcement comes roughly nine months after the initial launch, signaling rapid progress in the project. The development could influence future international collaborations in space technology and data processing.
