Beijing Unveils First National Space Computing Center as 108 Members Join New Alliance
Updated
Updated · Global Times · Jun 29
Beijing Unveils First National Space Computing Center as 108 Members Join New Alliance
2 articles · Updated · Global Times · Jun 29
Summary
Beijing on Monday launched China’s first national space computing innovation center and a parallel industry alliance with 108 founding member organizations at a digital economy forum in Zhongguancun.
The center, approved by the city’s economy and information technology bureau, is designed to build a full-stack space-computing chain spanning chips, hardware, platforms, intelligence, networks and applications under a “company + alliance” model.
Its near-term work will target onboard AI chips, high-performance computing payloads, intelligent satellites, space-based large models and shared testing infrastructure, while pushing commercialization in urban governance, remote services and AI-driven applications.
China Mobile said it has been developing the field since 2023 and plans 6G-based space-ground standards plus a centralized “computing brain,” while GalaxySpace pointed to lower satellite costs and mass production as key enablers.
Officials and researchers say moving computing into low Earth orbit could cut emergency data-processing times from hours to minutes and help ease AI’s rising power demand, which is projected to reach about 800 billion kWh by 2030.
Can China's space data centers overcome harsh radiation before terrestrial AI becomes more energy-efficient?
As China builds its orbital computing network, who will ultimately control the world's data from space?
Will the massive launch costs for space data centers negate their promised energy savings on Earth?
China’s National Space Computing Center and Three-Body Constellation: Transforming Global Digital Infrastructure
Overview
China has rapidly established itself as a global leader in space computing, achieving several world firsts in satellite constellation networking and in-orbit AI inference. This strong position highlights China's significant capabilities and ambitions to develop advanced space-based digital infrastructure. As challenges grow for terrestrial AI computing—such as limited land, high energy use, and cooling needs—the strategic importance of space computing is increasingly recognized. Experts see it as a crucial next-generation infrastructure with long-term potential to overcome these limitations and support future technological advancements, firmly placing China in the top tier of space technology development.