China’s Zhongke Tianta Launches Laser Communication Terminal Production Line

Zhongke Tianta formally launched a smart production line for space-based laser communication terminals in Xi'an, China on July 16. The initial phase plans an annual production capacity of 600 units, with ambitions to exceed 1,000 units per year by 2027. This move addresses the growing need for data transmission between low-orbit satellites, as traditional microwave communication struggles to keep pace with increasing bandwidth demands.

The 2,000-square-meter facility integrates component assembly, system integration, precision debugging, space environment simulation, and automated testing, supported by digital management systems. Zhongke Tianta’s technology stems from over two decades of research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics.

The produced terminals will support communication rates from 5Gbps to 100Gbps, and are designed for adaptability across various low-orbit satellite constellations. Zhongke Tianta is also developing “Huashan,” a large vertical aerospace model to aid satellite operation management by analyzing data transmitted via the laser terminals, reducing reliance on ground-based maintenance.