As the only domestic commercial aerospace company with a global layout and the only domestic aerospace company that builds ground stations globally, Hede Aerospace has always been a pioneer in my country’s commercial aerospace industry.
Today we will learn about China’s top 10 commercial aerospace companies—⑧Hede Aerospace.
1
He De Aerospace
Beijing Hede Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Beijing. It has established satellite technology R&D centers and constellation construction centers in Shanghai and Wuhan respectively. It has established wholly-owned subsidiaries and representative offices in France, the Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, China and other countries and regions, and has set up 156 sales outlets around the world. It mainly carries out the construction of a new generation of global ship communication very high frequency data exchange system (VDES), satellite Internet of Things service (DCS), global aircraft monitoring and communication (ADS-B), and remote sensing data and space information services.
2
“Skywalker” constellation
The “Skywalker” constellation is a low-orbit narrow-band Internet of Things constellation independently developed, planned and constructed by Hede Aerospace. There are 48 satellites planned in the first phase, which are used for AIS-based maritime comprehensive services, data collection services, and SAR and hyperspectral-based earth observation services. The constellation has now been included in the Chinese transportation constellation.
The China Transportation Constellation is a VDES (Very High Frequency Data Exchange System) satellite constellation that Hede Aerospace participated in the construction of. It consists of 192 satellites and is constructed in three phases: the first phase of rapid deployment will be completed before 2025, the second phase of optimization and upgrading will be completed before 2030, and the third phase of multiple coverage will be completed before 2035. As of May 30, 2024, 14 satellites have been deployed, ranking first in the world in technology and scale.
3
Overseas cases
Satellite data export: In September 2022, Hedeyu Navigation South Branch delivered satellite remote sensing image products to Armenian customers. This is the company’s first overseas sales business pilot, and it is also the first time an enterprise affiliated with Wenchang International Space City exports remote sensing satellite data.
Export of aerospace products: Hede Aerospace has set up 156 sales outlets around the world and has successfully exported domestic star-sensitive, t-sensitive, thermal control films, solar cells and other products to Switzerland, Italy, South Africa and other countries. In addition, Hede Aerospace has launched satellite services in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, South Africa, Ethiopia, Morocco, Zambia and other “Belt and Road” regions and countries.
4
Enter overseas markets
Hede Aerospace is the only commercial aerospace enterprise in China that is a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Association for Navigation to Navigation (IALA), and is qualified to undertake ESA projects. In 2009, Hede Hong Kong Company was established, taking the first step in global operations; in April 2015, Hede Netherlands Company was established; in October 2016, Hede France Company was established; in addition, Hede Aerospace has also set up representative offices in South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Kazakhstan and other countries and regions, with a total of 156 sales outlets around the world. In April 2013, Hede Aerospace, China Academy of Space Technology and Italian ALTA jointly initiated the establishment of a joint electric propulsion laboratory to improve the research and development capabilities of Chinese aerospace enterprises in key areas and promote the internationalization of China’s aerospace industry. In December 2021, HD Aerospace’s “Skywalker” low-orbit IoT constellation received a landing permit from Thailand and can fully carry out low-orbit satellite communication services in Thailand. The ground station jointly built with the Agricultural University of Thailand has also been put into use, providing favorable conditions for the data landing of Chinese remote sensing satellites in Southeast Asia. Hede Aerospace established an international advanced payload innovation center in the Netherlands to develop miniaturized SAR and hyperspectral payloads suitable for microsatellites to serve the global microsatellite industry. In addition, Hede Aerospace has also obtained the right to use ground licenses in more than 20 countries and the right to use satellites for local landing.
