Space Tube: Focusing on professionalism and respecting products to make zodiac signs popular

As the theme activity of China Aerospace Day, the China Space Conference • International Forum on Commercial Aerospace Industry kicked off in Changsha. Wu Yanhua, Deputy Director of the National Space Administration, stated at the conference that commercial aerospace involves many fields such as commercial transportation, commercial satellites, commercial launches, and satellite applications. In recent years, it has developed rapidly and has become a hot topic in the development of aerospace at home and abroad. This year, with the success of commercial launches, the number of domestic enterprises engaged in the commercial aerospace industry with a certain scale has increased from over 30 last year to nearly 100 currently. So commercial aerospace has become an important component of China's aerospace industry.

At the Commercial Aerospace Conference, NetEase Technology interviewed Dr. Xing Kefei, founder and CEO of Hunan Space Tube Technology. Xing Kefei stated in an interview with NetEase Technology that Space Tube products are positioned in the manufacturing of core modules for satellite data acquisition and measurement and control communication, and are a key supplier for satellite manufacturing. The measurement and control communication module is the first step in using satellites to make them visible and connected. The satellite data acquisition system is an IoT network with large-scale coverage and massive access.

It is reported that currently, the products of Space Tube have entered the procurement catalog of advantageous private aerospace enterprises such as Aerospace Science and Technology Group, Aerospace Science and Industry Group, Wiener Starry Sky, Jiutian MSI, and Tianyi Research Institute, and some modules have been included in the standardized satellite platform.

Xing Kefei stated that compared to traditional satellite standalone systems, the cost of the modules used by Sputnik has been reduced to one tenth to one twentieth of the original. Therefore, there are many cooperating companies. In addition, companies operating IoT constellations also have partnerships with Sputnik.

It is reported that Xing Kefei had been working on the front line of scientific research before. When asked why he chose the entrepreneurial path, Xing Kefei said that the purpose of creating Space Tube is to enable more satellite manufacturing enterprises to use reliable products through accumulation in traditional aerospace, and to make the transition of product commercialization smoother.

The following is a partial transcript of the interview with Xing Kefei by NetEase Technology:

NetEase Technology: The original intention of founding Space Tube?

Xing Kefei: What is satellite telemetry and communication? After the satellite is launched, it is necessary to establish contact with the satellite and transmit data, and the modules used are of this type. It is the first step in satellite applications, which is to make the satellite "visible" and connected. Next is the satellite data acquisition system, which collects and transmits data from ground sensors through satellite base stations. This is a large-scale coverage and massive access IoT network. These are very segmented satellite module products.

We established Sibutu and positioned it in the manufacturing of core modules for satellite data acquisition, measurement and control communication, with an original intention. Many friends know that the Space Tube team has accumulated a lot of experience in traditional aerospace. Our original intention is to provide reliable and user-friendly products through our accumulation, and to make a voice of Chinese manufacturing in the international commercial aerospace supply chain.

However, the influence of domestic commercial aerospace customization ideas is still relatively wide, so for the past two years, we have also been struggling with customer relationships. On the one hand, we hope that customers can choose shelf products with a certain status, short cycle, and low price. On the other hand, we also need to adapt to customer needs and agree to customization. Customized products may have contradictions between maturity and delivery time, sometimes causing difficulties for customers, but we will still adhere to our original intention, focus on professionalism, respect products, and make zodiac signs popular.

NetEase Technology: What are the more customers of Space Tube now?

Xing Kefei: We have cooperated with many companies, and most of the domestic enterprises in satellite manufacturing are our customers. There are state-owned enterprises such as Shenzhen Dongfanghong, as well as those that started purely from within the system. For example, Wiener Starry Sky, Astronomical Observatory Research Institute, Nine Sky MSI, and so on, this is the first category. The second type of customers are those who specialize in IoT constellations, such as Guodian High tech. We have already delivered 5 satellite payloads and completed testing of satellite IoT terminals.

NetEase Technology: How much can Space Tube module reduce the cost of satellites?

Xing Kefei: These core modules are called standalone in traditional satellites, and they have a large volume, weight, and power consumption. Our current modules have undergone miniaturization and low-power improvements, and prices have also been significantly reduced. Of course, these two types of products target completely different markets. Sibutu refers to a market-oriented pricing system that is oriented towards commercialization and is also connected to the pricing system of similar international products. Price and performance are related, and we are actively exploring and researching product assurance. We are actively streamlining and managing our product supply chain, hoping to reduce prices and lead times through product management and shelving improvements, without compromising reliability.

NetEase Technology: Is it due to the high technical threshold?

Xing Kefei: Yes. The technology here includes both the technology itself and the in orbit application experience, reliability, process design, aerospace product management, etc. that need to be accumulated to implement these technologies on products. Due to their importance, core module products require a long period of in orbit application experience. Users are also more cautious when choosing. We are made from traditional satellites, with experience and confidence.

NetEase Technology: Our technology is quite specialized and our field is relatively narrow. Will there be any problems in financing?

Xing Kefei: Yes, due to our specialized product technology, the market has not yet emerged, and investors have not seen sufficient room for imagination, so we are developing and accepting product customization at the same time.Last year, we launched our first product for space-based data collection, satellite IoT payloads and terminals. We provide satellite IoT operators with payload and terminal construction deployment solutions, allowing operators and users to focus on application promotion, which has attracted the attention of customers and investors. However, the research and development investment has also increased significantly.