Shanghai is putting space-based computing on its industrial policy agenda, targeting more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and a satellite internet core industry worth over RMB 80 billion by 2030. Separately, the Xingshu project has outlined plans for a 1,000-satellite computing network by 2032.
A Roadmap for Satellite Internet and Space-Based Computing
The 2026 Satellite Internet Industry Ecosystem Conference took place in Shanghai’s Songjiang District from October 27 to 29. At the event, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization formally presented the Shanghai Action Plan for the Innovative Development of the Satellite Internet Industry (2027–2030).
The plan sets out four major initiatives focused on advancing technology, strengthening infrastructure, developing industry clusters and expanding applications. By 2030, Shanghai aims to have more than 3,000 satellites in orbit and grow its satellite internet core industry to more than RMB 80 billion. It also seeks to commercialize more than 100 research成果, foster more than 100 high-quality businesses and other market participants, and establish more than 100 flagship demonstration applications. (Sources: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization; reports by People’s Daily Online, Shanghai Securities News and Xinmin Evening News.)
The conference also marked the start of preparations for a satellite internet industry fund, bringing together municipal and district investment platforms with private capital. Other initiatives included an ecosystem accelerator for integrated sensing and communications targeting 5G-Advanced and 6G, led by Yangtze River Delta Investment Company in partnership with Huawei, and the trial operation of a Yangtze River Delta supply-and-demand platform containing more than 2,000 listings.
Xingshu Sets Out a Three-Stage Deployment Schedule
Beyond the headline industry targets, a significant announcement was the detailed deployment schedule for the Xingshu project. Chi Nan, deputy Party secretary and vice president of Fudan University, outlined three stages:
- 2026–2027: Establish the technical links for coordinated computing in space and on the ground, using Chinese-developed GPUs to deliver 32 POPS of computing capacity and inter-satellite communications at 200 Gbps.
- 2028–2030: Scale up the space-based computing network with 50 computing satellites and 100 edge-computing satellites. The latter would comprise 24 optical remote-sensing satellites, 48 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and 28 meteorological satellites.
- 2031–2032: Complete a 1,000-satellite deployment comprising 800 computing satellites and 200 edge-computing satellites. The project targets computing capacity in the million-TOPS range, an integrated space–ground computing data center, and annual computing industry output exceeding RMB 100 billion.
(Sources: Jiemian News, Tonghuashun Finance and The Paper.)
The project’s initial constellation design was unveiled at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in July. It uses a three-satellite cluster comprising one primary computing satellite and two supporting satellites: one carrying the Fuxi weather foundation model and another providing rapid-response remote sensing.
The primary satellite is designed to carry a foundation model for microwave-vision SAR analysis, with computing capacity of 32 POPS, electrical generation capacity of 15 kW and inter-satellite communications at 200–400 Gbps. Four academicians—Jin Ya-Qiu, Wang Jianyu, Chu Junhao and Li Jun—serve as the project’s chief scientists.
Chi also disclosed cooperation with Huawei, saying the team hopes to put the latest Ascend 950-series chips into orbit.
Different Routes to Computing in Orbit
The Chinese and US roadmaps reveal different approaches. SpaceX plans to operate up to 100,000 Starlink communications satellites and up to one million Starmind AI satellites. Xingshu, meanwhile, has outlined a staged deployment reaching 1,000 satellites by 2032, with computing capacity in the million-TOPS range.
The difference extends beyond satellite numbers. Xingshu is pursuing a layered architecture combining central computing capacity with edge processing, prioritizing applications such as meteorology and remote sensing. Its plans include Chinese-developed processors, including Huawei’s Ascend series, and affordable computing services for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Financial support is also taking shape. Fifteen banks in Songjiang have introduced satellite-network and computing loan products, with combined credit commitments exceeding RMB 15 billion. The Qianfan constellation has launched 256 satellites and is targeting a cumulative total of 324 by the end of the year. Songjiang authorities describe that milestone as establishing the basic conditions for commercial operation, with a satellite overhead at any location worldwide at any time. (Sources: The Paper and official statements from Songjiang District.)
Together, these developments suggest that China’s space-based computing ambitions are expanding beyond individual corporate projects and becoming part of regional industrial policy.
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