China develops 100 real-time remote sensing satellites

The country's first real-time remote sensing satellite network is under construction with outstanding fast data transmission capabilities.

This ambitious space plan was unveiled by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) at the ongoing International Commercial Aerospace Forum in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. on 11/25.

Simulation of China's real-time remote sensing satellite network. (Photo: CASIC)

The real-time remote sensing network will include about 100 satellites operating in low orbit and capable of observing Earth with global coverage, serving various fields such as disaster relief, protection ecology, traffic monitoring and resource management.

Once completed, the system only takes a few minutes to transmit observational data from space to any part of the world. In the past, it took hours or even days to get there.

"The network is designed as a whole and has links between satellites, so it can monitor an area continuously by multiple satellites and achieve high-frequency observation, even at low minutes," said Yuan Hongy, Technical Director at CASIC.

In addition to the real-time remote sensing network, CASIC is also preparing to launch the Xingyun project phase 2, including intensive satellite launches for the Internet of Things (IoT).

A total of 80 satellites with the ability to connect all information nodes or IoT sensors globally will start to be launched from next year.

Once phase 2 is completed, China can receive satellite communications every 30 minutes, providing users with IoT services and solutions in space with more than 10 applications, according to Qian Wei, in charge of the project. Xingyun project of Sanjiang Group based in Wuhan.