Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-10-23 Origin: Site
At 19:40 Beijing Time on October 14, 2026, LandSpace’s Zhuque-2 carrier rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation and Test Zone at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch successfully delivered the first eight satellites of Group 02 in Guoxing Aerospace’s “Star Computing” program into their designated orbit.
The mission marks the program’s transition from technology validation toward large-scale constellation deployment.
Image: Launch of the Zhuque-2 improved Y4 launch vehicle. Source: Guoxing Aerospace.
Shanghai Suofu Industrial Co., Ltd. (Suofu) supplied its independently developed NP98 series single-phase liquid cooling pump as a key thermal management component for the mission. The pump entered orbit with the satellites, supporting the thermal management requirements of space-based AI computing platforms.
The computing capabilities of the Group 02 satellites represent a substantial increase over the first group. The peak computing capacity of a single satellite exceeds 10 petaflops (P), compared with a combined computing capacity of 5 P across the 12 satellites in Group 01.
Operating in dawn-dusk orbit, the satellites carry advanced payloads, including high-performance computing systems, high-speed inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground laser communication equipment, and low-light cameras. Their planned in-orbit technology demonstrations include megawatt-scale? liquid cooling fluid loops, large deployable radiative cooling wings, an integrated laser communication network, and in-orbit training of foundational AI models.
As onboard computing capabilities increase, processors performing AI model training and intensive data processing generate substantial heat. Removing this heat continuously and maintaining stable thermal control are essential to the reliable operation of space-based computing systems.
In this context, sustained thermal loads and the hydraulic demands of high-power liquid cooling circuits create significant engineering challenges. Flow rate, pressure head, and operational stability are important factors in designing and operating these cooling loops.
Suofu’s NP98 series single-phase liquid cooling pump is designed to circulate coolant through satellite thermal management systems. By supporting continuous coolant circulation, the pump helps transport heat away from high-performance computing payloads and supports the operation of high-power liquid cooling circuits.
Space applications also impose demanding environmental requirements. Vacuum exposure, substantial temperature variations, and the vibration and shock experienced during launch place stringent demands on the environmental compatibility, mechanical integrity, and long-term reliability of onboard fluid-handling components.
Designed for demanding liquid cooling applications, Suofu’s micro pump supports the coordinated operation of liquid circulation and radiative heat rejection systems. It contributes to the thermal management infrastructure required for intensive onboard computing and planned in-orbit AI model training.
Image: Suofu NP98 series single-phase liquid cooling pump.
The NP98 series pump supplied for this mission belongs to Suofu’s NP family of micro magnetic gear pumps. Developed for the specific requirements of aerospace thermal management, the product incorporates Suofu’s proprietary engineering and manufacturing technologies.
These include independently developed external gear profiles, wear-resistant PEEK components, ceramic shafts, and secondary overmolding technology for magnetic components.
Key design features include:
The pump uses a magnetic drive architecture without a conventional dynamic shaft seal. Torque is transmitted magnetically through an isolation structure, reducing the leakage risks associated with rotating shaft seals.
Static sealing elements, including O-rings, are used at the relevant sealing interfaces. This design is particularly relevant to applications where fluid containment is important. For spacecraft use, the complete pump assembly must also be evaluated for seal compatibility, material outgassing, and performance under the specified environmental conditions.
The NP family includes configurations with an inlet vacuum specification of up to -0.85 bar under defined operating conditions. This figure should be interpreted according to the applicable model's test conditions and does not, by itself, establish suitability for operation in a vacuum environment.
Selected NP series configurations are designed for operating temperatures ranging from -120°C to 150°C. Customized versions can be engineered for differential pressures of up to 40 bar, subject to the specific model and operating conditions.
For aerospace applications, pressure capability and temperature limits must be assessed against the intended coolant, operating speed, inlet conditions, thermal cycling, and system-level requirements.
The supplied pump also underwent mechanical vibration and shock qualification associated with the launch mission. These evaluations are important for confirming the structural integrity of fluid-handling components during launch. Specific qualification standards and test results should be referenced where disclosure is permitted.
The compact design of Suofu’s micro pumps supports integration into systems where available installation space and payload mass are limited. Model selection and integration depend on the required flow rate, pressure differential, coolant properties, motor configuration, and available mounting space.
Suofu’s NP series is designed for precision fluid transfer in demanding applications. Certain configurations are specified with metering accuracy of up to ±0.1%, while reported service-life figures can exceed 20,000 hours under defined test conditions.
Actual performance depends on the selected model, operating medium, temperature, pressure differential, speed, control system, and test methodology. These parameters should be verified for the specific pump configuration and intended mission profile.
Depending on the configuration, key components may include wear-resistant PEEK gears and bearings, precision zirconia ceramic shafts, and rare-earth permanent magnets.
Material selection is an important part of aerospace pump engineering. However, radiation tolerance and long-term stability depend on the complete material formulation, component design, exposure conditions, and qualification testing. Suitability for a particular radiation environment should therefore be established through application-specific evaluation.
Suofu has reported multi-project cooperation with research institutions and aerospace fluid-system integrators, including work related to single-phase liquid cooling, two-phase cooling, liquid-metal thermal management, and satellite propulsion applications.
The successful launch of the NP98 series pump with the Group 02 satellites of the “Star Computing” program represents an important engineering application of Suofu’s micro pump technology in the emerging field of space-based computing.
Founded in 2010, Shanghai Suofu Industrial Co., Ltd. focuses on the research, development, and manufacturing of micro magnetic gear pumps. The company operates an R&D and sales center in Shanghai and a manufacturing base in Sanming, Fujian Province.
According to company information, Suofu holds 29 patents, including four invention patents, and has participated in 32 national, provincial, and municipal research and development projects. Its operations and products are associated with various management-system and product-compliance frameworks, including ISO standards, CE requirements, RoHS, and REACH. The scope and validity of each certification or compliance declaration should be confirmed for the relevant legal entity and product.
Image: Suofu’s patent portfolio, including four invention patents.
Suofu’s micro magnetic gear pumps have been developed for demanding scientific and industrial applications. The company has described its involvement in research and engineering projects associated with the PandaX dark matter experiment at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory, as well as fluid circulation and thermal management applications for aerospace systems.
Other reported application areas include liquid-metal thermal management for space station systems, satellite orbit-control propulsion, aircraft engine lubrication circulation, radar liquid cooling, polar research, deep-sea sampling, lithography equipment, and low-temperature chip testing.
Each application involves different operating conditions, fluid properties, qualification requirements, and reliability targets. Project-specific configurations and performance should be assessed against the relevant engineering requirements.
Suofu also reports long-term research cooperation with Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and research institutes affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Such collaborations support the development and engineering validation of specialized fluid-handling components for advanced equipment.
The deployment of Suofu’s NP98 series pump aboard the “Star Computing” satellites highlights the role of specialized fluid-control technology in the development of commercial space computing. As satellite constellations and onboard computing capabilities continue to advance, reliable thermal management will remain an important part of spacecraft system design.
Suofu will continue to develop micro liquid cooling pump solutions for demanding scientific, industrial, and aerospace applications, working with customers to improve product design and evaluate performance against evolving system requirements.
From advanced research facilities on Earth to computing platforms in orbit, Suofu remains focused on precision fluid engineering and the development of independently engineered pump technologies.
Congratulations to the teams behind the successful launch of the “Star Computing” Group 02 satellites.
