China continues to compete with the United States in the conquest of space. The country recently launched two autonomous satellites that do not require supervision from Earth, a first according to the Middle Kingdom.
If the United States has long established itself as a leader in the field of space, notably thanks to renowned agencies like NASA and SpaceX, China is shaping up to be a major competitor. According to state media, the country launched two satellites using artificial intelligence from the Jiuquan base in the northwest of the country.
movements calculated to the micrometer
Indeed, these satellites, created by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), do not require human intervention unlike others which require supervision from Earth for each maneuver. They could maintain their position with an accuracy of 100 meters and coordinate their movements to the nearest micrometer. China is thus unveiling a major innovation in the sector.
The two satellites, named Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04, integrate a network of optical satellites. Thus, equipped with synthetic aperture radars (SAR), Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04 will allow China to observe the Earth at any time, and to collect extremely valuable data. The satellites' optical sensors would also use electrical pulses toward Earth to create detailed images.
Among other things, these images can be used to monitor natural resources (water, forests, etc.), natural disasters, the management of urban infrastructure but will also help with military surveillance.
compete with the spacex constellation
According to the South China Morning Post, China is seeking to compete with SpaceX's satellite constellation, and plans to deploy 13,000 satellites in total.
In recent years, the country has distinguished itself by numerous technical feats, notably managing to become the first country to bring back samples from the far side of the Moon last June.
In 2021, China also launched its own space station, Tiangong, which is expected to remain in orbit for at least ten more years. By 2035, the country, whose objective remains the conquest of the Moon, intends to build an international scientific research base there.
