China Unveils First AI Large-Model Satellite for Smart Cities

China has launched the CUHK-1 satellite, which integrates artificial intelligence with Earth observation technology aimed at enhancing governance in smart cities and monitoring environmental conditions.

The satellite was part of a larger mission that saw the launch of seven satellites aboard a single rocket from the waters off Yangjiang in Guangdong Province. CUHK-1 is notable for being the world’s first large AI model satellite categorized for urban sustainable development.

Developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, CUHK-1 combines advanced remote sensing capabilities with AI, marking a pivotal advancement in the realm of intelligent remote sensing satellites according to industry experts.

The satellite is distinguished as the first to onboard the DeepSeek large language model, allowing it to conduct near-real-time data analysis and information extraction while in orbit, as stated by the university's official communications.

This innovative technology outpaces traditional Earth observation practices, which rely on sending vast amounts of data back to Earth for slower processing. Instead, it provides a new framework for intelligent applications in remote sensing, significantly boosting operational response times.

Ma Peifeng, the chief designer of the project, revealed that the team adapted the DeepSeek model for functionality on the satellite itself. This transformation enables target identification and feature extraction from multispectral data directly in orbit, allowing for the creation of actionable information from raw data.

The satellite was successfully launched into its designated orbit by a Jielong-3 rocket, joining a previously launched experimental satellite to create Hong Kong's inaugural low-Earth-orbit constellation.

Equipped with a high-resolution multispectral optical remote sensing camera, CUHK-1 is capable of delivering crucial environmental monitoring data that can aid in disaster prevention, smart governance, and regional sustainable development.

Once operational, CUHK-1 aims to provide precise geospatial information services not only for environmental monitoring and smart transportation but also for emergency response within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other significant urban centers globally.

The satellite will also support the establishment of an International Satellite Data and Application Center based in Hong Kong, contributing to both urban sustainable initiatives and China's broader strategy to cultivate a strong space industry.

The local authorities in Yangjiang confirmed the successful maritime launch, which was part of the fourth commercial multi-satellite rideshare mission conducted by the Jielong-3 rocket.