China’s Geely sends 1st satellites into space

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, a major Chinese automaker, carried out its first satellite launch on Wednesday.

A Long March-2C carrier rocket successfully took nine commercial satellites into low earth orbit, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

The rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

The GeeSAT-1 satellites have been developed by Geespace, a subsidiary of Geely Technology Group.

Geely has become only the second automaker in the world to venture into the space industry after SpaceX, owned by American firm Tesla’s chief Elon Musk.

In a statement, the company said the satellites are part of its Geely Future Mobility Constellation, which will have a total of 240 satellites.

Geely said it plans to place 72 satellites in orbit by 2025, followed by another 168 in the second phase.

The satellites will provide “centimeter accurate precise positioning and connectivity support … enabling true, safe autonomous driving that will connect vehicles with vehicles and infrastructure with vehicles to realize true autonomous driving,” read the statement.

They will also have other commercial uses, including in logistics and data support for marine environmental protection, as well as providing “positioning, remote sensing, and satellite communication services” at the upcoming Asian Games.

Geely said the satellites are sustainably developed and have “an operating lifespan of five years, after which the satellites would propel themselves into earth’s atmosphere, where they will disintegrate without leaving any space debris.”​​​​​​​