In the commercial space sector, satellite launch costs are generally calculated per kilogram of weight. Therefore, for commercial space companies, the lightweighting of satellites is not merely a technical challenge, but also a crucial issue related to market competitiveness.

During an interview at the Beidou Industrial Park in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, engineers were gathered around a satellite platform, connecting cables, at the production site of SatLeader Satellite Technology. Miniaturization and lightweighting are precisely the company's technical keywords.

Since its establishment in 2018, SatLeader has developed or delivered dozens of satellites in total. Among them, a satellite called 'XR-11' was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 21, 2025. An Hao, co-founder and Deputy General Manager of SatLeader, explained, 'With a weight of just 135 kilograms, it is among the lightest and smallest in its class, featuring 0.5-meter resolution, a 12-kilometer observation swath, and maneuvering capabilities. Similar products with comparable performance usually weigh over 250 kilograms, which means launch costs alone can be reduced by nearly 10 million yuan (approximately 235 million yen).'

The traditional method involved 'mounting a payload onto a platform.' In other words, the platform was managed as a platform, and the payload as a payload, with a clear distinction between the two. Because the payload needed to be adapted to the platform's design, flexibly adjusting its weight and volume was difficult. However, SatLeader chose an approach that centers on the payload, integrating the platform into the payload to support its functions. Simply put, it means making the 'skeleton' of the camera the 'skeleton' of the satellite itself. This means that while cameras were previously mounted inside satellites, now the camera itself has become part of the satellite.

This weight reduction of over 100 kilograms was primarily achieved through three aspects. First is structural integration, where previously separated structural components are integrated and shared. Second is electronic component integration, which reduces redundant circuits and cables. Third is functional integration, allowing one component to perform multiple functions. In component selection, the XR-11 is equipped with a '0.5-meter commercial remote sensing camera' developed by the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, further reducing the overall satellite weight.

Does lightweighting not compromise performance? The following series of data provides the answer. The XR-11 transmitted its first image just 8 hours after orbital insertion. Over one year in orbit, it circled the Earth 5,530 times, operated stably for 8,760 hours, and performed over 14,000 image acquisition missions. According to the technical team, lightweighting and reliability are not mutually exclusive. What was reduced were redundant structures and duplicate functions, not safety margins.

The underlying logic of this lightweighting solution can be applied to various types of satellites, including optical remote sensing satellites, SAR satellites, and communication satellites. According to SatLeader, they have already secured nearly 20 orders for complete satellites, and their business is expanding into deep space exploration and on-orbit services. An Hao stated, 'In the future, to meet previously unmet commercial needs such as precise agricultural forecasting, insurance damage assessment, and oilfield localization, more affordable and lightweight satellites will be necessary.' (Provided by People's Daily Online Japanese Edition / Edited by KN)