Photo courtesy of Anadolu
China launched two artificial intelligence-powered remote sensing satellites from waters off Shandong province on Wednesday, expanding its use of space technology for agriculture and disaster management.
The satellites were carried into orbit aboard a Smart Dragon-3 rocket launched from a sea-based platform, marking the rocket’s 12th mission and fourth flight this year.
Developed by Star.ai Spatio-temporal Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd., the satellites will provide intelligent remote sensing services to Uzbekistan and Indonesia.
According to the company, the satellites can process computing tasks directly in space, allowing them to deliver disaster warnings and decision support within minutes instead of the hours typically required by conventional satellites.
One satellite will monitor Uzbekistan’s cotton industry throughout its production cycle, while the other will track crop growth and assess disaster risks affecting agricultural production in Indonesia.
China said the mission supports its broader push to integrate artificial intelligence with space technology for applications in agriculture, meteorology, mineral exploration and disaster management.
The launch also forms part of Beijing’s efforts to expand space-based services for developing countries across the Global South through AI-enabled satellite technology.
