Strategic Value and Constellation Layout of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology—CAS Xi'an Optoelectronics & Aerospace Invited to Participate in the 2025 Commercial Space Conference & Exhibition

Figure 2025 Commercial Space Forum and Exhibition

As a commercial aerospace company specializing in hyperspectral remote sensing technology, CAS Xiguang Aerospace showcased its profound technological accumulation and innovative achievements in the field. Yang Huan, the company's pre-sales manager, delivered a keynote speech at the conference entitled "The Strategic Value and Constellation Layout of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology," comprehensively elaborating on CAS Xiguang Aerospace's strategic layout and future vision in the field of hyperspectral remote sensing technology.

Yang Huan, head of pre-sales at KOSI Aerospace, delivered a keynote speech in the picture.

01Technological Leadership: The Strategic Value of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Becomes Prominent

Hyperspectral remote sensing technology, with its unique advantage of integrating image and spectrum, can acquire richer and more detailed spectral information, greatly improving the ability to distinguish and identify ground features. This includes the ability to accurately identify ground feature categories, acquire information on the physical and chemical composition of ground features, and convert qualitative analysis into quantitative analysis. This technological advantage makes hyperspectral remote sensing a promising field with broad applications in agriculture, forestry, water bodies, mining, and carbon microscopy.

Image of hyperspectral cube and characteristic spectral lines of matter

02 Strategic Needs: Highly Focused on Domestic and International Markets with Broad Demand

Hyperspectral remote sensing technology has become one of the core development directions in the global aerospace field. International space agencies such as NASA and ESA have regarded hyperspectral imaging as a key technology for next-generation satellite programs. In my country, the Office of the New Round of Mineral Exploration Breakthrough Strategic Action of the Ministry of Natural Resources has also listed spaceborne hyperspectral technology as the top priority technology in the new round of mineral exploration strategic action. In addition, in the demand collection for the new generation of space infrastructure during the "15th Five-Year Plan" and "16th Five-Year Plan" periods, the demand for high-resolution hyperspectral technology accounted for as high as 64%, demonstrating the country's high regard for and urgent need for hyperspectral remote sensing technology.

03 Blue Ocean Market: Rapid Growth Potential Imminent

According to survey data, driven by policy and technological upgrades, the space infrastructure market is projected to exceed 112.1 billion yuan by 2030, representing a more than threefold increase; meanwhile, the product and application service market is expected to exceed 64.5 billion yuan, a growth of over 3580%. The remote sensing application market remains a blue ocean with enormous growth potential. Recognizing this market opportunity, the company has made hyperspectral constellation deployment a core strategy since its inception, aiming to build China's largest and most comprehensive hyperspectral remote sensing constellation, "Xiguang-1".

04 Constellation Grand Plan: "Xiguang No. 1" 158-Star Layout

The "Xiguang-1" constellation plan includes 108 general-purpose hyperspectral remote sensing satellites, 40 dual-carbon monitoring hyperspectral satellites, and 10 functional hyperspectral satellites. The company plans to achieve on-orbit operation of 158 satellites by 2030, forming a chain operation pattern of "full-domain 100-band" and "more than 100 satellites in orbit".

The diagram shows the 158 constellation plan of KOSI Space Technology.

05 Independent Innovation: Data Platform and Multi-Domain Application Systems

Combining its independently developed constellation ground system and data processing capabilities, the company has created China's first hyperspectral data platform, "CAS Xiguang Remote Sensing Cloud," and the most efficient data processing platform, "CAS Xiguang Interstellar Cloud," as well as "five major hyperspectral integrated application systems." These platforms can provide global users with high spatial resolution, high temporal resolution, and high spectral resolution remote sensing big data and satellite application solutions.

Currently, the hyperspectral satellite applications of CAS Xiguang Aerospace have covered multiple fields such as agriculture, forestry, oceanography, carbon sequestration, and mining, providing high-quality, high-precision, and high-revisit-cycle data services to users in various sectors, including governments and enterprises. The company has launched customized satellites for multiple locations, initially achieving the in-orbit operation of 9 "Xiguang-1" satellites, and providing hyperspectral remote sensing application services in multiple provinces and countries along the "Belt and Road" initiative.

06 Future Outlook: Combining Technological Deepening with Market Expansion

The core value of commercial spaceflight lies in the deep integration of technology and the market. By continuously improving product capabilities and utilizing high-performance hyperspectral special-function satellites, the company aims to gradually explore deeper levels, more scenarios, and greater breakthroughs in the incremental market of remote sensing applications. The company plans to launch [a satellite] this year.Shortwave infrared mineral exploration hyperspectral satellite、High-resolution agricultural and forestry monitoring hyperspectral satelliteas well asResource and Environment Hyperspectral SatelliteThese satellites all possess excellent commercially viable specifications.

Figure 2025 Commercial Space Forum and Exhibition

We hope to promote the prosperity and development of the commercial aerospace industry through exchanges and cooperation with industry colleagues, and contribute to the realization of the great dream of building a space power.