China launches satellites to start building the world's first supercomputer in orbit
computing constellation, a system that could rival the most powerful ground-based supercomputers once fully deployed.
Twelve satellites, each equipped with intelligent computing systems and inter-satellite communication links, were sent into orbit aboard a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre around noon on Wednesday, according to state-owned Guangming Daily.
Twelve satellites, each equipped with intelligent computing systems and inter-satellite communication links, were sent into orbit on Wednesday, according to state-owned Guangming Daily. Photo: Handout
They are part of the Three-Body Computing Constellation, space-based infrastructure being developed by Zhejiang Lab. Once complete, the constellation would support real-time, in-orbit data processing with a total computing capacity of 1,000 peta operations per second (POPS) – or one quintillion operations per second – the report said.
Jonathan McDowell, a space historian and astronomer at Harvard University, said the idea of cloud computing in space was 'very fashionable' right now.
'Orbital data centres can use solar power and radiate their heat to space, reducing the energy needs and carbon footprint,' he said.
China, the United States and Europe could be expected to deploy such orbital data centres in the future, McDowell said.
'Today's Chinese launch is the first substantial flight test of the networking part of this concept.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China's navy submarine academy recruits first female students in 72-year history
For the first time in 72 years, China's top training institution for navy submarine personnel recruited 10 women for its bachelor's degree programme. The 10 students, who achieved top scores on this year's university entrance exams, were accepted by the PLA Naval Submarine Academy, according to a social media post by the institution on Thursday. Among the students were Wang Chenyue, from the village of Qianhe in eastern China's Zhejiang province, who scored 647 out of 750 on her exam. As the academy delivered her acceptance letter, she said she had always wanted to join the military , especially the navy. Another incoming student, Yang Jingyue from Taizhou, Jiangsu province, scored 652 out of 750 on her exam. She said she wanted to dedicate herself to China's national defence, according to the social media post. The academy was founded in 1953 and launched undergraduate programmes in 1956, master's degree programmes in 1987, and doctoral programmes in 2003, according to its website. Some of the academy's key strengths and areas of specialisation include navigation technology, underwater target recognition, weapon systems and engineering, and naval architecture and ocean engineering.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese military blacklists aerospace institute over bid rigging
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has barred a Chinese aerospace institute from bidding on tenders amid claims of bid rigging – the latest suspension in a year-long crackdown on military suppliers. In a notice on Thursday, the PLA's procurement oversight department said the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was suspended from taking part in military procurement for goods, projects, and services. The notice said the suspension was a penalty for bid rigging and collusion, but did not say how long the ban would last. The institute was also put on a military procurement suspension list in January, disqualifying its joint bid with Tsinghua University for a 150 million yuan (US$21 million) project. Details of the projects were classified but other bidders included the CAS Shanghai Advanced Research Institute and China Electronics System Engineering Company, suggesting the tender was for communications infrastructure. The aerospace institute was formed in 2019 through a merger of CAS institutes specialising in electronics, remote sensing and optoelectronics. It carries out core research in communication and information processing, aircraft design, remote sensing radar systems and electronic countermeasure systems – areas closely aligned with military needs.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Alibaba previews its first AI-powered glasses, joining China's heated smart wearable race
Alibaba Group Holding has entered the fierce smart glasses race in China, previewing its first pair of AI-powered glasses at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai – the country's largest annual AI event. The Quark AI glasses, named after Alibaba's AI assistant, were showcased to the public for the first time at the event on Saturday. The company said it had completed development of the product and was aiming for an official launch this year, although no specific date was provided. This marks Alibaba's debut in the smart glasses market, which has seen heightened local competition as domestic firms like Rokid and Xreal have rushed to release new products in recent months. Alibaba, owner of the Post, also struck a partnership with augmented reality glasses maker RayNeo earlier this year to provide AI support for the Hong Kong-based company's products. 'AI glasses will become the most important form of wearable intelligence – it will serve as another pair of eyes and ears for humans,' said Song Gang, head of smart terminal business at Alibaba's Intelligent Information business group, during a sub-forum. The move by the Hangzhou-based tech giant is part of a broader strategy to enhance its AI offerings. In February, Alibaba committed to investing US$53 billion in AI infrastructure over the next three years. Alibaba is doubling down on its investments into AI software and hardware. Photo: AP
