China has taken the first step towards becoming a space data center – the Supercomputer-1 artificial intelligence satellite has begun processing data in orbit

China has put nine satellites into orbit, including its first device designed to locally process artificial intelligence algorithms. According to reports, the Kinetica 1 Y18 rocket operated by the Chinese aerospace company CAS Space was launched on September 20 digital age.

Image source: NASA/unsplash.com

The most interesting satellite is S-AIDC-1, also known as Supercomputing-1. It was developed by S-AIDC, a Chinese company engaged in AI computing infrastructure. The device is designed to collect data from Earth observations and process them locally directly in orbit, without the need to send the information to ground-based data processing centers. The satellite is equipped with high-resolution optical equipment and artificial intelligence computers for image processing.

China has begun to seriously develop orbital computing technology – in early June, the Chinese government approved the establishment of a space computing industry innovation center. The goal will be to form integrated production of rockets and satellites, semiconductor components and artificial intelligence technology, and to create an orbital computing network.

With the arrival of the AI ​​boom, many countries have begun to build AI data centers, but these facilities consume too much energy, generate noise, and require large amounts of water for cooling. Orbital data centers are considered an alternative, and Musk’s SpaceX has begun developing the AI1 satellite, which will provide up to 150 kW of computing power. It is planned that the annual output of equipment will reach 1GW by 2027 – for this purpose, a Gigasat factory covering an area of ​​1.02 million square meters is already under construction²600 units of equipment will be produced annually.

In addition to working with artificial intelligence models, orbital computing capabilities will help solve real-world problems. By providing local processing of Earth observation data, they will be able to quickly detect forest fires, hurricanes, floods, ships and other objects of interest. This will improve the efficiency of weather monitoring and disaster response, and provide communication and control of satellite constellations; satellites will be able to make more decisions on their own rather than waiting for instructions from the Earth. It’s not yet an orbital data center, but China’s approach appears to be practical, with the potential to apply advanced computing capabilities directly in orbit.