At 12:12 PM on May 14, 2025, Chengdu Guoxing Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. successfully launched 12 satellites for the "Space Computing Constellation 021 Mission" using a CZ-2D carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellites entered their predetermined orbits, marking the world's first successful deployment of a space computing constellation. Among the satellites was the StarEpoch-30 with its honorary name "Haikou", a key component of this mission.
Guoxing Aerospace Partners with Haikou
As the satellite developer, Guoxing Aerospace signed a cooperation agreement with Haikou Jiangdong New Area Administration in December 2024. In January 2025, the company established Haikou Guoxing Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., focusing on satellite development, computing hardware/software sales, and space-based data processing. Leveraging the zone's strategic positioning as an "International Modern Service Industry Demonstration Zone" and a hub for overseas satellite operations, Guoxing aims to build a commercial aerospace innovation hub, targeting global markets .
What is "Space Computing Power"?
"Space computing power" refers to deploying data centers and computational capabilities in space, where satellites process data in orbit using onboard hardware. This system employs inter-satellite high-speed laser communication for real-time data transmission and processing, reducing latency and bandwidth consumption while enhancing support for communication, navigation, and space science. By centralizing computing resources into constellations, the mission overcomes the limitations of single-satellite processing and improves resource efficiency .
The "Space Computing Constellation 021 Mission" is the inaugural launch of both Guoxing Aerospace and Zhijiang Laboratory’s related project. The mission code "021" symbolizes a breakthrough from "0 to 1," achieving the first-ever space computing constellation.
Key technical features of this project include inter-satellite laser links (up to 100 Gbps), stable networking and distributed computing allocation, creating an open space-based computing infrastructure that supports up to 5 POPS (peta operations per second) in-orbit computing capacity. The StarCalc 02 Group Constellation, now in development, will feature satellites with even stronger computing capabilities .
Haikou’s Commercial Aerospace Ecosystem
Haikou Jiangdong New Area will focus on commercial aerospace supporting industries, prioritizing advancements in spacecraft R&D, satellite data services, aerospace new materials, and other specialized sectors. It will form a complementary industrial chain with Wenchang Aerospace City covering "R&D-manufacturing-launch," while creating synergistic effects with airport economy and low-altitude economy. By strengthening talent introduction, technology collaboration, and data interoperability mechanisms, the area aims to accelerate the establishment of an industrial support system encompassing satellite development, core component manufacturing, and space-ground collaborative applications.
Currently, Jiangdong has already implemented projects such as satellite R&D and computing hardware development, striving to cultivate an ecosystem for aerospace technology transfer and industrial application. This aims to provide foundational support for Hainan Free Trade Port's development strategy in the aerospace sector.