BY:SpaceEyeNews.
A Midnight Spectacle at Sea
In the still hours of Saturday morning, a column of light rose from the Yellow Sea, marking a striking milestone in China’s commercial space journey. At 12:31 a.m. Beijing Time, a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) rocket lifted off from an offshore platform near Rizhao, in Shandong Province, carrying 11 Geely-04 satellites into orbit.
The mission, conducted by the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, wasn’t just a display of advanced engineering—it was a demonstration of how rapidly China’s private and commercial space sectors are evolving. With this launch, the Geely-04 constellation has expanded from 30 to 41 satellites, with plans to reach 64 satellites in just two months.
Smart Dragon-3: Built for Speed and Flexibility
Standing 31 meters tall and weighing 140 tonnes, the Smart Dragon-3 is part of China’s Dragon rocket family, a newer generation of launch vehicles designed for small, commercial payloads. Unlike the country’s heavy-duty Long March rockets, which are optimized for large-scale national projects, the Dragon series is tailored for rapid deployment, cost efficiency, and operational agility.
The SD-3 uses solid propellant, enabling a streamlined preparation process and faster launch readiness compared to liquid-fueled rockets. Its payload capacity is well-suited for low-Earth and sun-synchronous orbits, making it ideal for building satellite constellations.
Why Launch from the Sea?
Sea-based launches offer a range of advantages that go beyond aesthetics. By positioning the platform at sea, mission planners can align the rocket’s trajectory with the optimal orbital path, minimizing course corrections and improving fuel efficiency. This flexibility is especially valuable for commercial operators who need to deploy satellites on short notice.
Additionally, offshore launches reduce overflight risks for populated areas and free up congested inland launch pads for other missions. This sixth SD-3 mission shows China’s growing mastery of maritime launches—turning the ocean into an extension of its spaceport network.
Geespace and the Geely-04 Constellation
The Geely-04 satellites are developed by Geespace, a subsidiary of the Geely Holding Group, best known globally as an automotive manufacturer. But Geespace’s mission extends far beyond cars—it is building an advanced Internet of Things (IoT) network in orbit.
Before this mission, the constellation stood at 30 satellites. The latest addition brings that number to 41, with an ambitious target of 64 satellites within two months. All operate in 600-kilometer low-Earth orbit, a prime location for quick signal transmission and frequent Earth coverage.
What These Satellites Can Do
Geespace’s network is designed for inter-satellite communication, meaning satellites can pass data between one another without constant reliance on ground stations. This reduces delays, improves global coverage, and boosts resilience in the event of local outages.
Their applications cover multiple sectors:
- IoT Connectivity – Linking millions of devices worldwide, from sensors to industrial equipment.
- Marine Monitoring – Providing data for fisheries, shipping routes, and environmental conditions at sea.
- Low-Altitude Transport – Supporting autonomous vehicles, drones, and urban air mobility systems with precise positioning and communication.
- Emergency Response – Delivering communications in areas where ground infrastructure is damaged or unavailable.
- Environmental Observation – Monitoring deforestation, urban growth, water quality, and air pollution.
An Automotive Giant’s Space Ambition
Geely’s venture into space technology is part of a broader vision to integrate its terrestrial mobility solutions with orbital infrastructure. By linking autonomous cars, commercial fleets, and even maritime transport to a dedicated satellite network, the company aims to create seamless, high-speed data exchange between Earth and orbit.
This integration could enable centimeter-level positioning for self-driving vehicles, real-time updates for logistics networks, and direct communication for vehicles operating far from terrestrial networks.
Rapid Constellation Growth and Its Significance
Launching 11 satellites at once is not just a technical feat—it’s a strategic acceleration. Scaling from 30 to 64 satellites in a matter of months shows Geespace’s operational readiness and commitment to establishing a fully functional network as soon as possible.
This pace is notable even by global standards. Many Western operators, such as OneWeb and SpaceX’s Starlink, also deploy satellites in batches, but Geespace’s rapid expansion in the IoT niche positions it uniquely in the market. While Starlink focuses on broadband for individuals, Geespace is tailoring its network for industry, infrastructure, and transportation systems.
Advantages of Offshore Deployment
Sea-based launches give Geespace a critical edge. The mobility of launch platforms means satellites can be placed into specific orbits without waiting for optimal conditions at fixed launch sites. This reduces waiting times, avoids scheduling conflicts, and allows more frequent launches.
It also offers a long-term sustainability benefit: offshore platforms can be moved away from heavily trafficked areas, minimizing environmental and safety impacts for coastal populations.
Environmental Monitoring: A Quiet Revolution
One of the most valuable aspects of the Geely-04 constellation is its ability to collect environmental data at scale. From tracking illegal fishing vessels to detecting oil spills, these satellites can support governments and NGOs in protecting marine ecosystems.
In urban contexts, they can monitor air quality trends, identify heat islands, and assist in disaster preparedness by mapping flood-prone regions or tracking storm development. This data can be shared with both public and private stakeholders, creating a shared resource for environmental management.
Emergency Communication in Remote Areas
When earthquakes, floods, or other disruptions occur, ground-based communication networks can be damaged or overloaded. In such situations, the Geely-04 satellites can provide a vital link for emergency teams, enabling coordination and data transfer even in areas far from terrestrial networks.
This function is especially important in regions with limited infrastructure, where satellite connectivity may be the only option for long-distance communication.
Positioning for a Connected Future
With 41 satellites now operational and 64 in sight, Geespace is building the framework for a truly global IoT service. This could transform industries like logistics, agriculture, transportation, and environmental management.
The precision, speed, and resilience of space-based IoT networks mean that even the most remote areas could be connected in real time—an essential feature for a future driven by automation and data.
A Model for Private Space Growth
China’s space sector has long been dominated by state-run programs, but the rise of companies like Geespace signals a diversification of capabilities. Private firms are now playing an active role in delivering services, launching satellites, and innovating in mission design.
The Smart Dragon-3 sea launch illustrates how these companies are using new approaches to meet market demand—leaner rockets, faster turnaround times, and targeted satellite applications.
Looking Ahead
As Geespace’s constellation approaches full deployment, the next phase will focus on operational integration—linking satellites to ground networks, vehicles, and industries worldwide. The company’s success could inspire other automotive and technology firms to see space not as a distant frontier, but as an essential part of their service ecosystem.
With its combination of agile launch capabilities, focused satellite applications, and rapid network growth, Geespace is positioning itself at the forefront of the global IoT race. And with offshore launch technology proving its reliability, the ocean may become an increasingly common starting point for humanity’s ventures into orbit.
References:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340472.shtml
https://thedailycpec.com/china-launches-11-geely-satellites-from-sea/