Chinese scientists have created a network of orbital satellites capable of processing data directly in space. The Three-Body Computing Constellation project promises to replace some ground-based supercomputers, providing high performance, energy efficiency, and strategic independence in artificial intelligence.
China has taken a new step in high technology by launching the first 12 satellites of an AI-based orbital supercomputer. The project, named the Three-Body Computing Constellation, is being carried out by the state-run Zhijiang Laboratory in collaboration with ADA Space. Eventually, the network of 2,800 devices is expected to achieve a performance of up to 1,000 POPS.
Unlike traditional satellites, which only collect data for transmission to Earth, the new spacecraft are capable of processing information directly in orbit. This eliminates bandwidth bottlenecks and data transmission delays. Orbit also provides constant solar power and effective cooling through the vacuum, making the system more energy-efficient than ground-based data centers, noted Zhijiang Laboratory Director Wang Jian.
Each satellite is equipped with laser communication links with speeds up to 100 Gbps and 30 TB of storage. Besides computation, the spacecraft observe Earth, create 3D surface maps, and study gamma-ray bursts. The scientists’ plans include creating digital twins of the Earth’s surface for application in agriculture, infrastructure planning, defense, and climate modeling.
China is also developing regional “smart hubs” based on the network’s data, including the high-tech Neijiang area in Sichuan province. Globally, the project could give the country a strategic advantage in artificial intelligence, especially amidst restrictions on access to semiconductor technology.
The project’s initiators plan to attract international partners, particularly from countries in the Global South, positioning the network as low-carbon and sustainable. However, experts note the technology’s potential dual-use nature—for both civilian and military purposes.
Harvard University astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell emphasized that orbital data centers make sense due to their energy efficiency, scalability, and independence from ground infrastructure. The project’s name is inspired by the novel by Chinese writer Liu Cixin—The Three-Body Problem.
