Post by : Badri Ariffin

China successfully carried out another sea-based orbital launch on Wednesday, sending two AI-powered hyperspectral remote sensing satellites into space aboard the Smart Dragon-3 rocket. The mission placed Satellite 01 and Satellite 02 of the Dongfang Huiyan spatiotemporal intelligent constellation into their planned orbits.

The launch took place at 10:38 am from sea waters near Haiyang in East China's Shandong Province. According to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), this was the fourth Smart Dragon-3 launch of 2026 and the 12th mission completed by the rocket model.

Smart Dragon-3 Completes Its 12th Mission

CALT said the mission included improvements in pre-launch testing and launch communication systems to increase overall reliability. The development team also advanced mission-independent assembly and testing processes, allowing more efficient production, faster delivery of rocket components, and shorter preparation times before launch.

The organization added that it has continued improving standardized rocket design to increase manufacturing efficiency while completing the satellite launch and constellation deployment successfully.

Since its first flight, Smart Dragon-3 has focused on China's commercial space sector by offering rapid response launches, high launch frequency, controlled costs, and reliable performance. CALT stated that the rocket team will continue improving the system to provide users with more efficient commercial launch services.

AI-Powered Satellites to Support Earth Observation

The Dongfang Huiyan Hyperspectral 01 and 02 satellites were developed by Wuhan University under the guidance of STAR.AI Spatio-temporal Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.

The satellites are designed to monitor:

• Water quality
• Suspended solids in water bodies
• Vegetation and crops
• Mineral resources

The data collected will support industries including agriculture, forestry, grassland management, water resources, and mining.

The two newly launched satellites will work together with the already operational Dongfang Huiyan High Resolution 01 satellite to create an integrated "general survey + detailed survey" observation system. The project is also intended to further validate a new approach that combines hyperspectral remote sensing with artificial intelligence.

Onboard AI Enables Faster Data Analysis

According to STAR.AI, the satellites receive AI support from Star Vision Aerospace Group Ltd, a Hangzhou-based AI-native aerospace company participating in the international Dongfang Huiyan constellation project.

Each satellite carries 22 hyperspectral channels along with onboard AI inference technology. This allows the satellites to understand and analyse collected data directly in orbit, reducing processing time from several days to the minute level.

The company said this technology transforms the satellites from image-recording platforms into intelligent systems capable of analysing information and making decisions in space, representing a shift from simply observing Earth to understanding it through AI.

International Cooperation Highlighted

The two satellites have also been given international names.

• Samarkand-2028 recognises cooperation with the Uzbekistan Space Agency.
• Lampung-1 honours the participation of Indonesia's Lampung Province.

According to STAR.AI, partners from Uzbekistan and Indonesia helped develop the onboard AI algorithms and will also become key users of the satellite data while contributing to the satellite ecosystem.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev watched the launch live and congratulated everyone involved in the project. Indonesian representatives also attended the launch ceremony.

Second Sea-Based Orbital Launch in Two Weeks

Wednesday's mission marked China's second sea-based orbital launch within two weeks.

Earlier, on July 22, the Gravity-1 rocket, developed by ORIENSPACE, launched from the East China Sea, placing nine satellites into their planned orbits while carrying out one payload experiment. The mission also marked the first far-sea launch of a private commercial rocket in China.

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