China successfully launched a group of 12 satellites early Wednesday for a groundbreaking orbital computing project led by commercial startup ADA Space in partnership with Zhejiang Lab. The satellites form what is being hailed as the world’s first dedicated AI-powered orbital computing constellation.
A Long March 2D rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12:12 a.m. Eastern (0412 UTC), with state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirming a fully successful mission.
The satellites make up the inaugural batch of the “Three-Body Computing Constellation,” a key element of the broader Star-Compute Program. Developed by ADA Space and Zhejiang Lab, this initiative aims to establish a vast in-orbit network of 2,800 satellites to perform real-time data processing in space.
Unlike traditional satellites that rely heavily on ground-based infrastructure for data processing, the Three-Body Computing Constellation is designed to process data directly onboard. Collectively, the 12 satellites boast a processing capacity of 5 peta operations per second (POPS) and feature 30 terabytes of onboard storage. They are equipped with advanced AI capabilities and high-speed 100 Gbps laser inter-satellite links, as well as remote sensing instruments.
One of the satellites is outfitted with a cosmic X-ray polarimeter, a scientific payload jointly developed by Guangxi University and the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC). This instrument will be used to detect and analyze transient astrophysical events such as gamma-ray bursts, while simultaneously issuing real-time alerts for follow-up studies.
ADA Space emphasized that this launch represents a paradigm shift—from satellites primarily focused on communications or Earth observation to systems that integrate edge computing and artificial intelligence. The approach is expected to reduce latency, improve efficiency, and minimize the need for extensive data transmission to Earth.
The Star-Compute Program reflects China’s broader ambition to lead in emerging technologies, including AI and space-based infrastructure. It is closely aligned with the national “New Infrastructures” strategy and the country’s goal of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. The initiative also includes partnerships with tech companies such as SoftStone and Kepu Cloud, which will support the development of ground-based AI systems to complement the orbital network.
Established in 2018, ADA Space—officially known as Chengdu Guoxing Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd.—focuses on AI-integrated satellite systems. The company filed for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange earlier this year. Zhejiang Lab, founded in 2017 in Hangzhou, is a joint effort by the Zhejiang provincial government, Zhejiang University, and Alibaba Group to promote advances in AI, big data, and intelligent computing.
This launch marks China’s 26th orbital mission of 2025. It follows closely behind recent launches of the TJS-19 and Yaogan-40 (02) satellites, and comes ahead of a series of upcoming missions, including the Zhuque-2E launch on May 15, a Ceres-1 sea-based launch on May 19, and a Long March 7A from Wenchang on May 20. Later in the month, China plans to launch the Tianwen-2 asteroid and comet exploration mission between May 28 and 30.
The successful deployment of the Three-Body Computing Constellation could mark the beginning of a new era in space-based cloud computing, with potential applications spanning economic, scientific, and national security domains. As the space race evolves, the ability to compute and analyze data directly in orbit may become a critical advantage on the global stage.
