Shanghai showcases satellites of its space-based computing network for AI

Shanghai unveiled the first satellites of its flagship project to build a space-based computing network for artificial intelligence, as China steps up efforts to extend AI infrastructure beyond terrestrial data centers.

The announcement was made at a future computing power forum at the 2026 World AI Conference and High-level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai on Saturday.

The Xingshu Plan — named after the Chinese term meaning the central hub of the stars — is Shanghai's flagship space computing constellation project.

It is designed to deploy computing and edge-computing satellites capable of processing data in orbit, reducing reliance on ground-based computing infrastructure. During the project's verification phase, two computing satellites and 12 edge-computing satellites will be launched.

The commercial deployment phase will expand the constellation to 50 computing satellites and 100 edge-computing satellites, while the final operational stage envisions a network of about 1,000 satellites.