World's first AI large-model satellite operates smoothly in space: developer

The world's first satellite using AI large-model technology is operating smoothly in space, with multiple tasks successfully completed, said its developer in Beijing.

The satellite was launched aboard a Smart Dragon-3 carrier rocket from the waters near the city of Haiyang in east China's Shandong Province on Sept. 24.

According to the research and development team, they have conducted in-orbit operational tests on the AI large-model satellite, tested operation condition in various temperatures, and completed various inference question-and-answer tasks with the satellite. All tasks have been successfully conducted so far.

"The technical staff has interacted with the satellite in this process. The remote sensing data on the satellite is huge and irregular. Thanks to the large model, we can carry out various tasks such as target recognition, feature extraction, and behavior prediction within a region. Accordingly, we can improve work efficiency in road evacuation, mineral resource discovery, and urban planning," said Wang Lei, CEO of ADA Space, a Chinese AI satellite internet technology company.

The large-model technology has allowed satellites to make decisions without transmitting data back to the ground, which has greatly enhancing the efficiency of satellite operations.

The development team overcame a series of technical challenges to transport AI computing power and systems from the ground to the sky.

"There were many challenges. It is relatively easy to control factors such as energy, building structure, temperature, humidity, weight and others on ground than in space. The selection of appropriate board and chip, unit interface, and protocol adaptation have presented a series of technical challenges for us," said Wang.

After moving the computing system to space, the team has set even bigger goals.

They have launched the "Star Computing Plan," which aims to build a global "mobile" computing network consisting of 2,800 computing satellites by 2030, enabling mankind to better utilize space resources.

"In the future, the advancement of AI technology and the evolution of large-model technology will greatly improve the performance of commercial spaceflight. This could even revolutionize the very concept of engineering design, fostering numerous new design perspectives. This will play a crucial role in promoting and driving innovation within the industry," said Wang.

World's first AI large-model satellite operates smoothly in space: developer

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China's National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) immersed the audience in colorful cultural experiences with 15 performances and 50 activities in a recent art festival celebrating the 17th anniversary of the center.   The audience admired charming symphony concerts, experienced intangible cultural heritage handicraft making, and participated in interactive performances during the festival.   Exquisite performances like dance flash mobs, Yunnan intangible cultural heritage song and dance performance and accordion quintet were staged at the open areas, along with complementing activities such as the book fair, cultural and creative fair, and intangible cultural heritage skill demonstrations.   "We will also organize workshops, jazz performances and other activities, along with some surprise events for the audience to explore, like behind-the-stage visits," said Zhu Jing, deputy director of the NCPA.   This year's art festival featured a specially designed event, enabling the audience to experience the technological power behind artistic creation through programs using 360-degree photography, AI composition and AR animation.   "For example, we launched the 'Everyone can be a conductor' program this year, using the motion sensing technology and music mapping technology. Through the application of artificial intelligence, ordinary audience members are able to step onto the conductor's podium and experience what it's like to be a conductor themselves," said Sheng Lei, an exhibtion planner at the NCPA.   In 2024, NCPA's 11 theaters have hosted 1,200 performances, reaching new heights of performance scale. Since its establishment 17 years ago, the NCPA has created 112 plays, with over 14.2 million audience members watching the performances at the venue.

NCPA stages performances, activities to enrich cultural experiences for audience