China Launches First 12 Satellites of Orbital Supercomputer Network, Aiming for 1,000 Peta Operations Per Second

China has initiated the assembly of a supercomputer in space by launching the first 12 satellites of a planned 2,800-strong network. This ambitious project, reported by Space News, involves satellites created by ADA Space, Zhijiang Laboratory, and Neijiang High-Tech Zone. These satellites can process the data they collect independently, eliminating the need to rely on ground-based stations. The satellites are part of ADA Space’s "Star Compute" initiative and mark the beginning of the "Three-Body Computing Constellation." Each of the 12 satellites is equipped with an onboard 8-billion-parameter AI model, capable of performing 744 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Collectively, they can handle 5 quadrillion operations per second (POPS), significantly outpacing the 40 TOPS required for a Microsoft Copilot PC. The ultimate goal, according to the Chinese government, is to create a network that achieves 1,000 POPS. To facilitate efficient communication, the satellites use laser links with speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second and share a total storage capacity of 30 terabytes. The satellites launched last week carry various scientific instruments, including an X-ray polarization detector designed to capture transient cosmic events such as gamma-ray bursts. Additionally, they possess the ability to generate 3D digital twin data, which can be utilized for applications ranging from emergency response to gaming and tourism. The advantages of deploying a space-based supercomputer extend beyond simply reducing communication delays. According to the South China Morning Post, conventional satellite data transmission is often slow and inefficient, with less than 10% of collected data reaching Earth due to factors like limited bandwidth and the availability of ground stations. Jonathan McDowell, a space historian and astronomer at Harvard University, highlighted another benefit: orbital data centers can harness solar power and radiate heat into space, thereby lowering their energy consumption and carbon footprint. McDowell stated that both the United States and Europe might pursue similar initiatives in the future. This groundbreaking project represents a significant leap forward in space technology and could revolutionize how we collect and process scientific data, enhance disaster management, and even transform entertainment and travel experiences. As more satellites are launched and integrated into the network, the potential applications and impact of this supercomputing constellation will become increasingly evident.