Geovis Insighter Technology Unveils Ambitious Satellite Constellation

A Chinese company, Geovis Insighter Technology Co. Ltd., is set to launch a constellation of 144 space situational awareness (SSA) satellites in low-Earth orbit. This initiative aims to enhance monitoring capabilities of orbital objects, with the first two experimental satellites scheduled for launch in April 2024. Dan Luo, the executive vice president of Geovis, shared these plans during the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia.

The initial satellites will operate at an altitude of 1,200 kilometers, focusing on observing space objects that orbit between 300 and 2,000 kilometers. Following this, an additional 12 SSA satellites are expected to be deployed by the end of 2026. Luo explained that while operating satellites in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) will require significant fuel, this approach will allow for the observation of objects in much lower orbits.

Founded in 2006, Geovis Insighter Technology was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2024. Before embarking on the new satellite constellation, the company developed SSA software for the Chinese government. With the upcoming constellation, Geovis aims to provide valuable data to commercial entities, expanding its role in the space industry.

China’s Comprehensive Space Traffic Management Strategy

The announcement of the satellite constellation coincided with a session at the congress focused on the policy, legal, economic, and security aspects of debris mitigation and space traffic management. During this session, Yuqi Shen, a PhD candidate at the Beijing Institute of Technology and a visiting researcher at Leiden University, emphasized China’s comprehensive approach to space traffic coordination (STC). This strategy prioritizes communication among satellite operators rather than relying on new international treaties.

“We need to increase transparency and information sharing, and we need to improve international interoperability of space traffic coordination systems,” Shen stated. He highlighted that the success of such systems ultimately hinges on trust and the effectiveness of communication between national systems.

China is working to establish a national space traffic management system that will contribute data to international coordination efforts. Shen pointed out that China has demonstrated expertise in debris removal, notably through the operation of the Shijian-21 satellite, which successfully towed the defunct Beidou-2 G2 navigation satellite into a graveyard orbit.

The current legal framework for space traffic coordination in China encompasses mission authorization, space-object registration, space-debris mitigation, and radio-frequency management. Nonetheless, challenges remain. Key gaps in the STC regime include the need to define essential information that operators must share.

Another significant issue is the difficulty in assessing the intent behind various space operations. Shen noted that the same maneuver could have both civil and military interpretations, which complicates the situation. “We need to clarify rules for space traffic data distribution and also for codes of conduct,” he added.

As Geovis Insighter Technology moves forward with its ambitious satellite constellation, its efforts will not only enhance China’s capabilities in space situational awareness but also contribute to the ongoing global dialogue surrounding space traffic management and safety.