Shanghai's "Pearl Constellation Project" was officially launched, aiming to build a space-based computing infrastructure with global coverage

China News Service, Shanghai, September 13 (Reporters Zheng Yingying and Sun Zifa) As one of the theme activities of the 2026 Pujiang Innovation Forum, the Space Computing Power Industry Ecological Forum was held in Shanghai on the 13th. During the forum, Shanghai’s “Pearl Constellation Project” was officially launched.

Currently, the integration of artificial intelligence, commercial aerospace and new generation information technology is accelerating, and satellites are gradually evolving from traditional information acquisition and transmission nodes to space intelligent nodes with on-orbit processing, intelligent analysis and computing capabilities.

The "Pearl Constellation Project" takes the construction of a "gigawatt (GW)-level space-based computing constellation" as its long-term goal, continues to promote technological exploration around space-ground integrated computing power networks, space energy, and other directions, and promotes the further extension of intelligent computing capabilities from the ground to low-Earth orbit. It plans to gradually build a space-based intelligent computing power infrastructure and service network with global coverage, space-ground collaboration, and independent controllability by 2030.

"Pearl" not only means the Oriental Pearl, Shanghai's urban landmark, but also represents an important carrier for Shanghai's future space computing industry layout. The "Pearl Constellation Project" is an important layout for Shanghai to cultivate the future space-based computing industry and build a space-based integrated intelligent computing infrastructure. It will be promoted under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, with Oriental Tiansuan as the chain master unit, and in conjunction with scientific research institutions such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University and upstream and downstream partners in the industry chain.

Qu Wei, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, said at the forum that the "Pearl Constellation Project" is a strategic project for Shanghai to promote the implementation of the space computing industry. Space computing power is not only a key support for the integrated information network of space and earth, but also an important growth pole for cultivating new productive forces and expanding new space for digital economic development. It is the future industrial direction that Shanghai is currently focusing on cultivating.