China has launched the world’s first commercial artificial intelligence (AI) satellite into Earth orbit, online resource CGTN TV channel reported. The satellite named Rongpiao, developed by Guoxing Aerospace Technology, was designed to test the Synaesthesia Fusion AI algorithm in space. After testing, the satellite will be used as a platform for future communications networks.

The Rongpiao (Xingshidai-18) satellite with integrated sensing network was launched into orbit by the Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) rocket, the third of this flight. The rocket was launched into space on February 3 at 11:06 local time (06:06 Kiev time) from a sea platform in the waters near the city of Yangjiang in China’s southern Guangdong province. In addition to Rongpiao, the rocket carried eight other satellites into orbit, including Egypt’s NExSat-1 satellite.

Earlier this month, it was learned that the Chinese company ExPace successfully tested a reusable rocket prototype, which flew into the air for nine seconds and then successfully landed on the launch pad. The tests confirmed that the company has made successful progress in the development of reusable rockets with methane and liquid oxygen engines.