China launched seven satellites on February 12, 2026, from waters off Yangjiang, Guangdong Province. Among them, CUHK No.1 is the world’s first AI large-model satellite designed for sustainable urban development and intelligent remote sensing.
Developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the satellite combines high-resolution Earth observation with an onboard AI model called DeepSeek. This enables near-real-time analysis of multispectral data directly in orbit, eliminating the need to send massive data back to Earth for processing.
CUHK No.1 carries advanced optical sensors to monitor environmental changes, aid smart city planning, and support disaster prevention. After entering its orbit, it will contribute to geospatial services across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other major cities worldwide.
The satellite also supports the creation of an International Satellite Data and Application Center in Hong Kong, marking a major step in China’s goal of building a strong, intelligent space industry. The launch was conducted via the Jielong-3 rocket, China’s fourth commercial multi-satellite rideshare mission.
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