【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】In May this year, Guoxing Space launched 12 satellites for the "Space Computing Constellation 021" mission using the Long March 2D carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, successfully sending them into orbit. The satellites smoothly entered their designated orbits, marking the successful launch of the world's first space computing satellite constellation.

At the same time, on the other side of the ocean, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is in turmoil: Trump drastically cut the budget for aerospace projects and suddenly revoked Jared Isaacman's nomination as NASA Administrator due to personal grudges with Elon Musk.

"China is seeking an artificial intelligence (AI) advantage in orbit," the U.S. media Bloomberg published an article on July 9, forcibly linking the two and hyping up the so-called "Chinese space threat." The article claimed that while NASA was in chaos, China was steadily advancing its plan to become a space power.

British scholar Golska highly praised China's launch of space computing satellites, believing it was replicating its successful model in electric vehicles in space. Indian-American scholar Goswami, however, spread military confrontation, claiming that "this marks a major shift in U.S.-China space competition."

On May 14, China successfully launched the space computing satellite constellation CCTV News

CCTV News introduced that the first constellation of 12 computing satellites used Guoxing Space's self-developed intelligent connected satellite platform. In addition to being equipped with Guoxing Space's self-developed AI payload, they also carried space computing software and hardware and space-based models developed by the Zhijiang Laboratory, achieving "computing power in space, on-orbit networking, and models in space." They can perform tasks such as inter-orbit satellite laser access and astronomical scientific observation in orbit.

Each satellite is equipped with an onboard intelligent computing system and an inter-satellite communication system, enabling full-track satellite interconnection and possessing on-orbit computing capabilities. Once completed, it will help China build the world's first space computing infrastructure, breaking through the boundaries of the artificial intelligence field from the ground to space.

The "Space Computing 021" mission is the first constellation of Guoxing Space's "Star Calculation" program, as well as the first constellation of the Zhijiang Laboratory's "Three Body Computing Constellation." The "Star Calculation Program" will consist of 2800 computing satellites forming a network, aiming to build a global integrated terrestrial-space computing network, helping China lead the world in building space computing infrastructure. After the constellation is formed, it will create the strongest space computing capability globally.

The previously launched "Three Body Computing Constellation"

Bloomberg stated that the "Star Calculation Program" could avoid bottlenecks when transmitting data back to Earth, such as limited bandwidth and insufficient availability of ground stations. In addition, orbital data centers can use solar energy and dissipate heat into space, thus reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint. Each satellite is equipped with an AI model that can process data independently without relying on Earth-based data centers.

"China's approach here is consistent with its strategy in the electric vehicle sector," said Sylvia Golska, a doctoral candidate at the University of Central Lancashire and a space researcher. "China is skipping old technologies and establishing leadership in emerging next-generation fields."

The report stated that although there are cost concerns, orbital data centers may play a key role in military conflicts. The system can process large amounts of sensor data, such as satellite images and naval movements, reducing latency; they are also less vulnerable to ground attacks and can serve as relay stations for secure military communications.

Professor Namrata Goswami from Arizona State University exaggerated, saying: "This marks a major shift in U.S.-China space competition, undoubtedly intensifying the intensity of the space race." She also claimed that China is creating an "asymmetric advantage" that is less susceptible to Earth networks or physical attacks.

She said that the strategic impact of China's satellite launch is greater because China is focusing on controlling the digital infrastructure that will dominate military command, planetary defense, and strategic space operations in the coming decades. "Many space data never return to the ground, especially for intelligence and military data. Computing in space is a novel application and very important," she added.

Bloomberg journalist Allen Wan said: "If China successfully establishes this capability and expands it to a scale of 2800 satellites, combined with the ability to process this data with artificial intelligence, the system will provide China with a strategic advantage."

On May 20, Trump announced the construction of the "Golden Dome" at the White House, Visual China

In recent years, the U.S. military has repeatedly hyped up the so-called "Chinese space threat," but itself continues to expand its outer space forces.

On June 24, Stephen Whitening, commander of the U.S. Space Command, added fuel to the fire during an interview, hyping up China's development in space military technology as "surprisingly fast" and "concerning," posing a "strategic threat" to the United States.

On July 8, seven former officials who had served as directors of the NASA Science Mission Directorate jointly wrote to the U.S. Congress Appropriations Committee, strongly opposing the Trump administration's plan to cut the science budget. It is reported that the Trump administration plans to slash NASA's science budget from the current $7.33 billion to $3.9 billion, cutting or terminating numerous space projects including Mars rovers.

The Washington Post reported that significantly cutting NASA's science budget could have serious consequences, "possibly handing the solar system over to China." Several former high-ranking NASA officials, scientists, and employees publicly protested, believing that this move would harm the United States' leadership in space science and give China an advantage in exploring the solar system.

President Trump of the United States made a high-profile announcement in May to build the "Golden Dome" missile defense system, targeting China and Russia. Stephen Whitening, however, exaggerated that the so-called "space threat" posed by China is becoming increasingly "real and urgent," and the "Golden Dome" is a response to this so-called threat.

In response, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, recently emphasized that the United States is pushing the deployment of space-based weapons systems such as the "Golden Dome," continuously expanding its outer space forces, and inciting an arms race in outer space. This violates the principles of the Outer Space Treaty, increases the risks of militarization and arms race in outer space, undermines international security and arms control systems, and opens Pandora's box again. This once again proves that the United States is the biggest driver of weaponization and militarization of outer space. We urge the U.S. to stop expanding and preparing for war in outer space and take concrete actions to maintain global strategic stability.

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