Testing at Chinese Smart Satellite Factory Now Underway
WUHAN, China—Testing at China's first smart manufacturing plant for satellites has begun here, with production scheduled to begin in March. Zou Guangbao, general manager of CASIC Space Engineering Development, says that design and construction of the plant took 429 days. When it reaches full manufacturing capacity, it will be capable of making 240 small satellites a year.
Liu Feng, one of the plant's project managers, says building a satellite involves dozens of steps, ranging from component installation and satellite assembly to electronic and mechanical tests, and the current production method requires all of them to be carried out manually.