NANJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Inside a dust-free, noise-free smart workshop beside Taihu Lake in east China's Jiangsu Province, technicians in anti-static suits assemble satellites on automated production lines.
Home to Jiangsu's largest and most intelligent satellite mass-production base with a total investment of 1 billion yuan (about 147 million U.S. dollars), Guoyu Starry Sky Technology Co., Ltd. in the city of Wuxi, a fully-owned subsidiary of Beijing Minospace Technology, can churn out more than 150 satellites annually.
The satellites each weigh 200 to 500 kilograms, covering optical remote sensing, SAR radar, low-orbit communication and navigation enhancement models.
"Previously, developing a customized satellite took three to six months. On our flexible production line, a mass-produced satellite can be finished in merely 20 to 25 days," said Shi Changfu, deputy general manager of Guoyu Starry Sky.
Robotic arms installed along the production frames automatically apply thermal conductive grease and mount precision components, boosting assembly accuracy and efficiency.
The whole plant runs on an integrated intelligent system empowered by AI and digital twin technology, separating satellite platforms from mission payloads like a smartphone body matching different apps. Different types of satellites can be manufactured on one single line without full redesign.
A full set of space environment simulation test equipment stands beside the assembly area, including huge thermal vacuum chambers and mechanical vibration tables. Every satellite undergoes rigorous tests to replicate extreme temperature, vibration and electromagnetic conditions in orbit.
SAR satellites manufactured here can detect millimeter-level ground deformation around the clock, supporting disaster prevention, geological monitoring and urban management, according to on-site engineers.
A milestone came on June 13, when six Huantian Constellation satellites rolled off the production line, including four SAR radar satellites and two optical satellites. The batch is scheduled to launch in the near future.
Shi attributed the efficiency leap to two core strengths: self-developed modular satellite platforms and Wuxi's complete local industrial supply chain. Almost all tiny components, even small screws for satellites, can be sourced locally.
The local government also set up a dedicated service team to coordinate infrastructure construction, transportation and supporting facilities for the space factory.
"Mass production of satellites is a revolutionary upgrade for China's space infrastructure," said Bi Hui, professor at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. "Large-scale low-orbit satellite constellations are urgently needed for national space internet, and this smart base greatly cuts development cycles and costs."
Official industrial data shows that by the end of 2025, Wuxi had gathered 325 commercial aerospace enterprises, among which 52 large-scale firms posted total revenue of 14.48 billion yuan. Wuxi High-tech Zone has built a complete industrial chain covering rockets, satellites, ground terminals and space data services, gathering 30 key aerospace enterprises with a total industrial output exceeding 2 billion yuan.
Shi said, with continuous upgrades to automated manufacturing, the factory aims to shorten the production cycle further, eventually producing one satellite per day. ■
