World's First Space Cloud Begins Regular Services

A Chinese space cloud computing system has recently begun providing regular experimental services in orbit. The Orbital Computing Capabilities Facility, led by Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, automates end-to-end operations across satellite platforms, space servers, ground stations, and data centers, offering users worldwide a full-cycle service that spans task request submission, deployment, execution, monitoring, and result retrieval. Space computing refers to an emerging computing paradigm that deploys data processing, storage, intelligent analysis, and decision-making capabilities on orbital platforms such as satellites and space stations. The Chinese cloud computing platform operates on the “Tiansqian” constellation, launched by the university in 2021. As the world’s first space computing constellation, it has deployed 16 low-Earth-orbit satellites and seven ground stations. The platform provides several key technical capabilities, including building services on a reusable platform, supporting reliable long-term operation of software in orbit, and laying the foundation for real-time space data processing and autonomous satellite decision-making.