BEIJING -- In a significant development for China's aerospace industry, the country has launched four new satellites this month to expand the Tianqi satellite constellation.

This initiative aims to strengthen a burgeoning presence in low-Earth orbit, responding to the increasing demand for connectivity in smart devices.

The Tianqi constellation, operated by GuoDianGaoKe Technology, has now completed its first phase with a total of 37 satellites in orbit.

This network serves a wide array of applications including smart cities, marine monitoring, emergency communications, and environmental assessments.

With this latest deployment, the constellation's revisit time is now reduced to just five minutes, marking a 37.5 percent improvement in operational efficiency and facilitating enhanced real-time data transmission.

Chairman Lyu Qiang noted that Tianqi addresses a critical technological gap in China's low-orbit satellite landscape, achieving performance metrics that are considered to be at the forefront of international capabilities.

The company is now exploring market opportunities that extend into consumer technology, targeting products such as smartphones, smart vehicles, and wearable devices.

Plans for a second phase of satellite launches are in place, focusing on expanding consumer-level applications.

Another notable project in China's commercial satellite sector is the Future Mobility Constellation, which is backed by leading Chinese automaker Geely.

Developed by Geespace, Geely's commercial space subsidiary, this satellite system consists of 30 satellites arranged across three orbital planes, having recently expanded with the addition of 10 satellites last September.

The Future Mobility Constellation aims to provide intelligent connectivity for vehicles, achieving 90 percent global coverage and becoming the first Chinese commercial space venture to offer low-orbit communication services to international customers.

The constellation is designed to support scenarios including intelligent driving, smart mobility, and consumer electronics, according to CEO Wang Yang.

The project follows a phased rollout plan beginning with 72 satellites for real-time data communication, progressing to 264 satellites for direct smartphone connectivity, and ultimately aiming for a total of 5,676 satellites for global broadband services.

Some of Geely's electric vehicles, such as the Zeekr and Galaxy models, are already equipped with satellite communication capabilities.

This allows users to send and receive messages via satellite, particularly when traditional ground networks experience disruptions.

Furthermore, Geely's satellite service has initiated international commercial operations in parts of the Middle East and is set to extend its coverage to North Africa by 2025, broadening its footprint in the global market.

Industry analysts have observed that satellite networks hold significant potential for autonomous driving applications due to their ability to provide dependable connectivity in regions lacking traditional infrastructure.

Projections indicate that the global autonomous driving market could reach $557 billion by 2030, positioning Chinese satellite constellations to capture a substantial share through partnerships with various automotive manufacturers.

Geespace is also investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities, having established a modern factory in Taizhou designed for efficient satellite production.

Utilizing modular design and intelligent manufacturing methods, this factory is expected to reduce production costs by up to 45 percent while achieving output levels of 1 to 2 satellites per day, with an annual capacity of 500 satellites.

In addition to these commercial developments, China's growing drone industry is spurring interest in low-altitude intelligent networking infrastructure.

The country is actively advancing research and implementation of technologies related to 5G, Beidou navigation, and satellite internet.

Lu Feng, a researcher from a Beijing technology institute, emphasized that low-altitude intelligent networking serves as a digital foundation essential for ensuring the safe operation of low-altitude aircraft.