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In the past, when people talked about satellites, they often thought of large, heavy machines weighing hundreds of kilograms or even more than a ton. However, in recent years, a new concept has emerged—small satellites. Recently, I visited a company that specializes in small satellite manufacturing, and it was quite an eye-opening experience. I found out that the process is not as complicated as one might think. It's similar to working on IT hardware or embedded systems, where development involves debugging and testing code, just like software development.
At first, it felt surprising. Are Beijing middle school students really capable of developing satellites? It seems that they are more powerful than primary school students who studied Su Shi using big data. It looks like these students don't rely on their parents for help—parents aren't involved in the technical side at all.
During my visit to the small satellite company, I realized that the production of small satellites is actually very similar to building IT equipment. The development process resembles hardware debugging, and it’s also a form of code testing.
In the center of this board is the OBC, which stands for On-Board Computer. It looks relatively simple, unlike the densely packed components in a smartphone. There's no need to make it extremely thin or compact.
This is the digital transmission board, used by Tiandi Communication. Each board connects power and data lines like a PC, and simply plugs into the right port.
This is the Payload Adapter, not the People’s Liberation Army. It functions like a bus management system inside a computer. The "leading load design" from Bayi School students refers more to structural weight distribution rather than anything else.
This is the battery of a small satellite, equivalent to two phone batteries. It charges like a mobile phone, using solar energy during sunlight and relying on stored power when it moves into shadow. One advantage of space is that there is always sunlight.
Making a small satellite involves many parts, all assembled and functioning together in orbit. Some boards, like the DBA, are not launched but used for debugging. Embedded systems usually don’t have a display, so developers use a modulation board connected to a PC for programming and testing.
This is a small 3U satellite ordered by a Chinese entertainment company. It has cameras at both ends, and if the requirements aren’t too high, such cameras can be purchased from Taobao. The solar panels haven’t been attached yet. This company now has its own satellite in orbit, allowing them to conduct business and explore new possibilities. A 3kg satellite doesn’t cost much, and owning one is now feasible. If small satellites can provide a one-stop service, the industry could grow significantly.
It’s said that orbital positions are limited, especially for geostationary satellites, which are located over 35,800 kilometers above the equator. Due to signal interference, each satellite needs 2 degrees of space, limiting available positions to around 180. Small satellites operate at lower altitudes, typically between 400 and 500 kilometers, meaning there are fewer restrictions and more room for deployment.
Once small satellites become industrialized, they will no longer seem mysterious. They’re similar to IT infrastructure or embedded systems. In the future, China may lead in building a global small satellite network.
Of course, we should learn from the U.S. and dare to dream big. Shared bikes have generated billions in China, and private capital is strong. China’s communication strength is solid, with powerful IT and embedded systems, and low-cost space launches. From an industry chain perspective, the small satellite internet sector should also fit well in China. It would be interesting if Chinese VCs started investing in satellite communications.
The simplicity of small satellites comes down to China’s complete industrial chains. For most countries, the threshold is too high. Building a board isn’t easy. Even in Europe, some companies offer satellite boards, but the functionality is limited, and customization costs are high. The work pace is slow, and communication is inefficient. In China, everything is done independently, and core functions are accessible at a low cost. A middle school student can bring a satellite back and study it. Launching the satellite is also manageable, as there are reliable services available. The timing is flexible, and the sky is open for exploration.
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