Does China need a space data bureau to support its ever-growing satellite networks?

CASC’s Zhao Xiaojin has suggested setting up a national agency to coordinate information gathered by satellites
The number of such Chinese devices in orbit has grown exponentially, with 100 launches estimated to take place in 2024

Science

Zhang Tongin BeijingandKinling Loin Beijing

Published: 6:00pm, 8 Mar 2024

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A national satellite data management agency should be established to coordinate the information being gathered by the ever-growing number of Chinese satellites in orbit, according to a leader in China’s aerospace sector.

Zhao Xiaojin, Communist Party secretary of the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), said a dedicated data bureau could support the burgeoning aerospace sector in China and prevent collected information being wasted.

The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) member made the comments on the sidelines of the conference on Wednesday.

“China prioritises satellite construction over operation. We need to find a way to make the best use of our satellites,” Zhao said.

“According to Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, China has a substantial number of satellites in orbit, incurring huge operational and depreciation costs, which amounts to tens of millions of yuan every day. Yet, the data collected by these satellites is under-utilised.”

The answer, he proposed, was the establishment of a national-level agency to oversee the coordination of all that data, as well as to improve satellite data storage, processing, distribution and application.

Zhang Youxia says a national bureau overseeing all the data gathered by China’s satellites would help stop that information being wasted. Photo: Xinhua

“As we acquire an increasing amount of data from satellites, it becomes necessary to have a specialised agency to manage it,” Zhao said.

“This would ensure that the data is effectively utilised to benefit economic development and national defence, as well as to improve people’s daily lives.”

Commercial space flight was highlighted in the annual government work report this year, aiming to draw policies, talent and funding to the sector, which is growing rapidly.

China’s achievements in the aerospace sector have taken off in recent years. According to the Blue Book of China Aerospace Science and Technology Activities released by CASC on February 26, China set a record in 2023 with 67 launch missions and the development and launch of 221 spacecraft.

Private companies have contributed to this achievement with 13 rocket launches. In April 2023, Tianlong 2, developed by the Beijing-based aerospace company Tianbing Technology, also known as Space Pioneer, became the world’s first privately developed liquid rocket to succeed on its maiden flight. Then in July, LandSpace Technology Corporation made the world’s first successful launch of a liquid oxygen-methane rocket with its Zhuque 2 mission.

Besides the growing number of rockets, the diversity and quantity of satellites have also expanded. Nearly 30 institutions developed and launched satellites in 2023, significantly improving the infrastructure in satellite communication, remote sensing and navigation.

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Meanwhile, China’s ambitious launch schedule is set to continue in 2024.

“Planned missions include ocean salinity detection satellites, electromagnetic monitoring satellites and astronomical satellites, with an estimated 100 launches throughout the year,” the blue book said.

Civilian satellites not only meet the needs of various industries, they also amass a vast amount of data that can be used in further research.

While China’s commercial space flight has grown rapidly, SpaceX remains a global leader.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s aerospace company dominates the world in its ability to build low-cost, large-scale satellite internet constellations. Last year alone, it launched nearly 2,000 Starlink satellites.

SpaceX conducted 96 missions, carrying around 1,286 tonnes of payload into space last year, accounting for about 80 per cent of the global launch mass. This figure well surpassed the combined launch payload mass of all countries and regions outside of SpaceX.

Another CPPCC member, Rong Yi, who is the chief designer of new carrier rockets at the CASC, revealed on Tuesday that the corporation was developing four-metre and five-metre diameter reusable carrier rockets. These are scheduled for test flights in 2025 and 2026, respectively. The rockets could cut launch costs and help China catch up to SpaceX.