“The great roc rises with the wind, soaring straight up to the sky.”
At 7:39:10 on May 31, 2024, witnessed by SDJU President Gong Siyi, and SDJU R&D Team, the Ceres-1 carrier rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, accurately delivering SDJU No.1 Satellite into its designated orbit. 843 seconds later, the rocket and satellite separated. The solar panels deployed normally with a stable attitude secured, and the operation of the satellite proceeded.
SDJU No.1 Satellite and Fudan Information Satellite launched by the same rocket form a dual-satellite system named laser constellation. With expectation and commitment of SDJU faculty and students to the aerospace industry, this satellite is ready to carry out laser communication in-orbit verification and inter-satellite laser communication tests, greatly enriching the in-orbit interstellar communication test and application capabilities, and assisting the development of new-generation communication and Internet technologies.
President Gong Siyi emphasized that, SDJUNo. 1 Satellite was developed by SDJU Micro-nano Satellite Intelligent Manufacturing Team (MSIMT) in cooperation with aerospace companies and research institutes, which was an important initiative for SDJU to actively layout and develop aerospace specialties. Its successful launch marked an important step for our university in building aerospace characteristics, and was of great significance for SDJU to further accelerate the pace toward a national pilot of applied technology university.
SDJU No.1 Satellite is the first satellite developed and launched by our university in cooperation with enterprises. It features two core technologies and tri-lab collaboration. It boasts the core technologies of high integration, high speed and high reliability inter-satellite laser communication and the integrated design technology for satellite payload and platform. It also carries out research on real-time collaboration of three labs, namely, the satellite comprehensive testing lab, the measurement and control data transmission ground station and the ground application center, to guarantee the integrated operation of the satellite and the labs. MSIMT will fully rely on SDJU’s complete disciplines and rich experience in engineering applications, give full play to its advantages in satellite overall system engineering, and make unremitting efforts for the high-efficiency and high-quality development of SDJU aerospace discipline.
Aerospace technology is characterized by its high technological content, full range of specializations and broad influential role, and it is hailed as the pearl in the crown of engineering technology. Shanghai is the key area for the innovation and development of China’s aerospace industry, with a long industrial chain and an industrial system integrating design, R&D, manufacturing, application and service. In the field of aviation, Shanghai actively lays out and constructs aviation industrial parks, focusing on building world-class aviation industry clusters in the focal areas, respectively, Pudong New Area, Minhang District, and Lin-gang Special Area, to build large aircraft R&D highland, aero-engine and airborne system R&D highland, as well as large aircraft assembly manufacturing and aero-engine manufacturing highland. In the field of commercial aerospace, Shanghai is forging a “one body, two wings” space layout, i.e., Shanghai Aerospace City in Minhang as the core body, with Pudong and Lin-gang as wings for satellite research and production clusters.
SDJU has been giving full play to its advantageous locations in Lin-gang Special Area of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone and Shanghai Aerospace City in Minhang District, and actively forging into aerospace fields oriented to the needs of leading regional industries and strategic emerging industries. Our university strengthens its aerospace specialties by actively building the discipline of high-end equipment manufacturing and service, which is deeply integrated with the regional industries. We vigorously set up high-capacity cooperation platforms to continuously increase the construction of aerospace specialties, adhere to the integrated development of disciplines, platforms, and teams to build new patterns of pooling talents. SDJU also deepens school-enterprise integration, vigorously cultivates outstanding field engineers of aircraft design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance in high-end aerospace equipment manufacturing, and actively contributes to the development of the industry.
SDJU faculty representative Cai Cheng and others, witnessed the satellite launch on-site, while representatives of teachers and students watched live broadcast online. They expressed that such a historical moment is a significant and colorful chapter for everyone at DianJi, carrying their aspirations for the unknown vast universe. As members of SDJU, they will embrace the aerospace dream and the dream of a strong nation, further strengthening their sense of mission, strengthen the technological innovation and practical creation. With firm ideals and beliefs, strong sense of responsibility, and solid knowledge, they aim to demonstrate the spirit of DianJi in the journey of exploring the universe, developing the aerospace industry, and building a strong aerospace nation.
As a key partner in the joint development of SDJU No. 1 Satellite, Wu Shaojun, Chairman of Beijing Laser Starcom, stated that the successful development and launch of the satellite marked a new height in the collaboration between Laser Starcom and SDJU in the aerospace field. Both sides will use this opportunity to further deepen their cooperation, making greater efforts for the development of new-generation communication and internet technologies in China’s aerospace sector.
Secretary of CPC SDJU Committee Lu Xionggang stated that the launch of the SDJU No. 1 Satellite marked a significant step forward in our university’s efforts to develop an aerospace specialty. It demonstrates SDJU’s determination and capability to advance to higher levels in the aerospace field, playing a crucial role in accelerating the construction of a national pilot of applied technology university. In the future, SDJU will continue to explore the vast universe with even greater determination, contributing to major national aerospace projects and forging ahead courageously in pursuit of dreams among the stars and seas.
