Two optical satellites Dongpo-13 and Dongpo-14, part of a six-satellite suite developed by Chinese companies MinoSpace and Huantian Space, transmitted high-definition remote imaging images within 1.5 hours after reaching orbit.
The achievement sets a new speed record for satellites developed by private Chinese companies.
This achievement beats the previous record of less than two hours, set in May. The faster time demonstrates the improved responsiveness and technological strength of China's commercial remote sensing capabilities, said Chang Wujun, deputy general manager of satellite manufacturing company MinoSpace.
While the technology supports a wide range of applications, from agriculture and forestry to disaster management and urban planning, image acquisition speed remains a key measure of service value.
Conventional systems often take days from assignment to imagery receipt. In emergency situations, such as floods or landslides, every hour saved can make a crucial difference in decision-making.
According to Chang, MinoSpace is now utilizing artificial intelligence (AI)-based processing on satellites to identify targets, detect anomalies, and prioritize data transmission while the satellite is still in orbit.
This processing overcomes the common bottleneck of downloading and processing massive amounts of raw data at ground stations, enabling near-real-time information provision for disaster monitoring, emergency response efforts, and dynamic surveillance.
