The inaugural satellite of the "Innovation X" series of scientific experimental satellites — the Space New Technology Experimental Satellite.
In just one year, a new satellite has been developed that is no longer limited to a single use, but instead accommodates dozens of differing payload types. This effort has successfully aligned with the launch schedule of solid-fuel rockets, providing a "ticket" to cutting-edge research laboratories for free flights into space. This "scientific flight" launch paradigm realizes a new research model that swiftly verifies the transition from basic research to national mission tasks.
This model was pioneered by the Space New Technology Experimental Satellite development team at the Innovation Research Institute for Micro/Nano Satellites, Chinese Academy of Sciences (referred to as the "Satellite Innovation Institute").
The full name of this satellite is the inaugural star of the "Innovation X" series of scientific experimental satellites — the Space New Technology Experimental Satellite.
"There has never been such an opportunity before!" expressed a researcher.
In the future, the "Innovation X" team plans to utilize this versatile, low-cost, and sustainable space experimentation platform along with the scientific flight launch model to solicit new payloads and products with on-orbit validation needs from home and abroad. They aim to launch scientific micro-nano satellites weighing about 50 kg, scientific small satellites weighing 100 kg, and scientific experimental satellites weighing 600 kg to facilitate scientific exploration and application.
"The Brightest" Star, Consistently Producing Results: Star Payloads Still Yielding Data Two Years Later
The scientific instruments and equipment onboard the satellite are referred to as payloads.
Like building blocks, each payload is stacked and assembled together, forming a satellite or small satellite. This satellite is then mounted onto a rocket for launch, sent into space, and placed in a specific orbit. Upon receiving commands, it powers on, detects signals, and transmits them back.
"This is truly the 'brightest' star above us!" said Zhang Yonghe, deputy director of the Satellite Innovation Institute. Since its launch two years ago, the inaugural star of "Innovation X" has continuously generated experimental results while in orbit.
"Innovation X" signifies innovative intersections and limitless innovations.
On July 27, 2022, the "Li Jian No. 1" solid-fuel rocket, independently developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, successfully completed its maiden flight, delivering the "Innovation X" series scientific experimental satellite into orbit.
More than two months later, in October 2022, the High-Energy Burst Explorer (HEBS) payload aboard the "Innovation X" satellite discovered the brightest gamma-ray burst known to date. It performed high-precision measurements during the main burst phase, achieving the best observation quality recognized internationally and breaking records for observation brightness and isotropic equivalent energy, gaining acknowledgment from global peers. HEBS also collaborated with China's "Gaofen" satellite to precisely measure the complete burst process of this gamma-ray event.
On March 29, 2023, at 2 a.m. Beijing time, the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with over 40 research institutions worldwide, published the findings of this research.
In addition to a series of important scientific results, such as the "brightest gamma-ray burst to date," the "world's first wide-field X-ray focused imaging sky map," "China's first image of the solar transition zone," and "China's first domestic quantum magnetometer for global magnetic field surveying," all relate to the inaugural star of the "Innovation X" series — the Space New Technology Experimental Satellite developed by the Innovation Research Institute for Micro/Nano Satellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This 620-kilogram satellite carries over a dozen payloads developed by more than 20 organizations, and since its launch, it has completed 44 instance verifications of new space technologies. Some of these technological products have already been adapted for practical application, transitioning into a routine observation mode and continuing to generate significant amounts of scientific data.
The abundant technological achievements of the inaugural "Innovation X" star have laid a strong foundation for the subsequent "flight-style" carrying model.
During the summary meeting of the on-orbit experiments for the first "Innovation X" star, Zhang Yonghe, deputy director of the Satellite Innovation Institute, and Yang Yiqiang, chairman and president of China Aerospace Corp., jointly announced the "Innovation X" scientific flight plan, aiming to continue exploring new paradigms in space science exploration and technology validation based on the practical experiences and outcomes from the inaugural star.
The development team for the Space New Technology Experimental Satellite.
The "Innovation X" scientific flight plan globally solicits new payloads and products requiring on-orbit validation, utilizing the launch opportunities provided by "Li Jian" to carry four 50-kg scientific micro-nano satellites, two 100-kg scientific small satellites, and one 600-kg scientific experimental satellite each year, offering a full-chain carrying service for scientists, research institutions, universities, and space companies worldwide.
As of now, the onboard new technologies for the "Innovation X" satellites include edge computing visual chips, InSb infrared detectors, space-grade semiconductor temperature control, and other new component technologies. They also include micro-propulsion systems, ultra-high frequency pulse tube cooling technologies, 3D-printed titanium alloy high-pressure gas storage structures, and domestically produced non-magnetic optical fibers, providing a wealth of new technological products for future space exploration missions.
Innovation + Boldness: They Built a New Star in One Year
"Innovation" often implies more risk and uncertainty.
"Funding self-raised, risks self-borne, science first, and time waits for no one," has set the tone for the development of the inaugural "Innovation X" star.
In other words, funding is tight, necessitating "finding money" and controlling costs; the probability of failure is high, aiming at fundamental research and frontier exploration; and the timeline is limited, with narrow rocket launch windows.
However, space and aerospace are uniquely special, rarely providing a second chance for remedy. Therefore, astronauts must exercise greater caution and effort.
In one year, a satellite was completed with one to twenty different new payloads, each like a group of passengers on a plane, where it is important to consider where each will sit, whether by the window or in the aisle, and who boards first.
Li Fei, the chief designer of "Innovation X," remarked, "The maturity of the payloads, including their reliability, will undoubtedly vary, as will their development progress. We also need to ensure that if any payload encounters unexpected situations, it does not impact the safety and reliable operation of the satellite." "For example, there are many types of propulsion systems, not just conventional fuels and chemical propulsion, but also jet propulsion."
In response to these issues, Chief Engineer Zhang Xiaofeng stated, "We have explored a new process model — prioritizing specifications with special identification and key controls."
He especially highlighted "prioritizing specifications." Before users design their payloads, the "Innovation X" team provides them with relevant specifications, enabling all users to innovate under the same standards, achieving maximum compatibility and collaboration.
"Innovation X" was designed as a universal platform for dynamic payload integration, featuring rich interfaces and multiple observation modes including high-precision solar observations, earth observations, and inertial orientation. Additionally, it has implemented rapid iterations and optimized testing processes, achieving rapid development cycles of just one year.
They also managed costs by utilizing qualified components. Zhang Xiaofeng explained, "Qualified components are akin to our airplanes or cars; they need to be formally defined and subjected to various destructive tests such as drop tests or collision tests. Only after confirming their reliability do we formally begin the production of this product, delivering what we refer to as flight components. Because qualification tests are destructive, we typically avoid using qualified components. However, in the 'Innovation X' satellite, we used qualified components to shorten the processing cycle and reduce costs. Of course, we still perform numerous evaluations and tests to ensure they meet performance requirements before they are utilized as flight components."
On the maiden flight of "Li Jian No. 1," the costs of the rocket, satellite, and payloads were shared among the three parties. However, in the future, the payload side will need to cover a portion of the satellite launch costs, meaning that "science flights" might incur ticket charges.
"I believe there will come a day when we achieve a good balance, one where scientists' payloads can be included alongside economically viable payloads," Zhang Yonghe expressed.
The development team for the Space New Technology Experimental Satellite.
He elaborated that the "dual responsibility system" allows experienced chief designers or department leaders to oversee critical nodes while younger designers lead project designs and advancements. Additionally, each young designer is paired with a mentor to create a collaborative learning experience.
Another strategy they adopted was to make a big deal out of minor quality issues. Zhang Xiaofeng recounted that during the summer of 2021, "we encountered an issue when a very basic error was made in our haste. Young team members, lacking experience, mistakenly plugged a cable into the wrong port, causing a device to be overvolted. It should have operated at 3.3 volts but instead received 12 volts."
The entire team was gathered for a meeting dubbed the "Quality Reset Meeting," aimed at highlighting the dangers posed by system engineering quality issues and encouraging collective awareness of ensuring success in aerospace projects. "Aerospace is a complex system engineering discipline. Without engineering experience, diving directly in poses numerous quality risks and pitfalls, often requiring expensive lessons learned," he remarked.
Zhang Xiaofeng mentioned, "Moreover, our Satellite Innovation Institute maintains a tradition of forming temporary party branches. One of our activities is called 'Party Members Displays Identity and Practice Commitments.' Whenever our party members reach the launch site, they pen their commitment letters to exert their utmost to ensure launching success. As this is a systemic engineering effort, the success of the overall project depends on each member doing their part well."
Zhang Xiaofeng proudly stated, "We set a record for the smallest launch team possible, with only seven individuals at one point, while a typical satellite launch team normally consists of 30 to 40 individuals."
In March 2022, during the final stages of assembly and testing, researchers slept on the floor or at conference tables overnight. They overcame challenges related to payload and product delivery constraints, as well as team members’ inability to conduct testing, ultimately ensuring the satellite met factory conditions by the end of April.
In May 2022, the satellite and team members traveled over 3,000 kilometers by road, from Shanghai to Jiuquan. The satellite successfully arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center after 74 hours and 17 inspections.
With extreme cosmic conditions, ripples in space-time, and panoramic views between the Earth and Sun, even more core technologies await breakthroughs. The "Innovation X" team will continue to focus on the forefront of global technology, target scientific uncharted territories, and disrupt traditional methods with innovation, becoming an indispensable strategic technological force in national aerospace.
As the main force in China’s scientific satellite field and a significant player in the application satellite sector, the Innovation Research Institute for Micro/Nano Satellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully launched a total of 128 satellites, including the BeiDou-3 network satellites, Dark Matter Particle Detection Satellite, Quantum Science Experiment Satellite, Tianhe-2 accompanying satellite, Taiji-1 satellite, and the Einstein Probe satellite. The institution aims to serve as an innovation engine for advanced satellite science and technology in China, a demonstration base for aerospace technology achievement transformation and industrialization, a bridge connecting government, academia, research, and production applications, and an open platform for international exchange and cooperation, providing robust support for national strategic needs and major scientific breakthroughs.