Geely unit Geespace launches 2nd batch of 11 satellites for services including autonomous driving
In smart driving, users can access real-time high-precision positioning, and more accurate road features through in-vehicle terminals to help sense, decide, and control smart driving.
(Image credit: Geely)
Geespace, Geely Holding Group’s low-orbit commercial satellite operator, launched 11 new satellites, the latest batch after the first nine launched in June 2022 to create a planned constellation.
Geespace launched the satellites, which went into their intended orbits, at 7:37 am Beijing time on February 3 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province in southwest China, according to a statement from Geely.
The satellites are part of a planned constellation, the Geely Future Mobility Constellation, which will consist of 240 satellites.
These satellites have AI remote sensing capabilities to provide 1-5-meter high-resolution remote sensing imagery products and services.
Geespace currently has 20 satellites in orbit and plans to complete the deployment of the first phase of the constellation of 72 satellites in 2025, which will enable global real-time data communication services.
An additional 168 satellites will be orbited in the second phase of the constellation, which will then enable centimeter-level, high-precision positioning services for the autonomous driving, smart connectivity, and consumer electronics sectors, according to Geely.
Geely Future Mobility Constellation has instantaneous centimeter-level high-precision positioning capability, which can realize precise planning of routes, thus helping smart mobility applications including vehicle management via cloud, vehicle-road collaboration, intelligent driving, and automatic parking, Geely said.
For example, in the field of intelligent driving, users can obtain real-time high-precision positioning through the in-vehicle terminal, as well as higher-precision road features, which help the perception, decision-making, and control of intelligent driving, according to the company.
Specifically, Geely’s premium electric vehicle (EV) brand, Zeekr, will fuse the capabilities of Geely Future Mobility Constellation and SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) vehicle platform to create a space version of SEA, according to Geely.
Geespace is a wholly owned subsidiary of Geely Holding Group and the first private, low-orbit commercial satellite operator in China after the country opened its space sector to private investment in 2014.
Since its establishment in 2018, Geespace has built a complete industrial chain for satellite development, production and operation.
The company has operations centers in Guangzhou and Qingdao, business development centers in Beijing and Taizhou, and a highly automated smart satellite testing and production base in Taizhou.
In early September 2021, Geespace’s smart satellite production and testing center began mass production of commercial satellites with an annual output of 500 satellites.
Geespace has become the first commercial company in the world to realize satellite communication technology for mass-produced vehicles in 2023, Geely said.
Models based on Geespace’s space technology, including the Zeekr 001FR, Zeekr 007, and Geely Galaxy E8, already have satellite communications capabilities, according to Geely.
The Geely Future Mobility Constellation will provide satellite application services for global users after construction is completed, Geely said.
Currently, Geespace has entered into cooperation with operators in regions including Southeast Asia and the Middle East to promote the globalization of satellite application services, the company said.
