Chinese private space company GalaxySpace has introduced a new deployable satellite antenna designed for low-Earth orbit missions.
The company says the technology improves satellite internet performance while saving valuable space inside launch rockets.
The announcement highlights China’s growing focus on commercial space and next-generation satellite communication systems.
GalaxySpace Satellite Antenna Deploys
The antenna is designed to improve satellite internet capacity and support direct-to-cell communication services. Direct-to-cell technology allows regular smartphones to connect directly with satellites without special hardware. This area has become a major focus for space companies worldwide.
GalaxySpace said the new antenna delivers communication performance up to 10 times stronger than its earlier Q/V-band mechanically steerable antennas. Q/V-band frequencies are used for high-speed satellite communication. These frequencies help satellites transmit large amounts of data more efficiently.
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The antenna has a foldable structure that works like an umbrella opening in orbit. Before launch, it stays tightly packed to save room inside the rocket fairing. Once the satellite reaches space, the antenna automatically unfolds into its full size.
According to the company, the antenna measures about one meter in diameter after deployment. Engineers compressed it into less than 12 percent of its deployed volume during launch storage. GalaxySpace said this matches advanced international standards for compact satellite hardware.
Focus on Launch Efficiency and Mass Production
Modern rockets often carry many satellites during a single mission. This makes efficient use of payload space extremely important for satellite operators. Large communication antennas usually take up significant room and reduce launch flexibility.
GalaxySpace said its compact design allows satellites to carry larger communication reflectors without affecting launch efficiency. This helps operators place more satellites on a single rocket at once. Lower launch costs are becoming increasingly important as global satellite constellations continue to expand.
The company also introduced a new manufacturing process for the antenna system. Traditional space-grade mesh antennas often rely on manual work and careful stitching by engineers. That process is slow and difficult to scale for large production runs.
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GalaxySpace stated that its new integrated mesh-forming technology improves manufacturing efficiency by more than 70 percent. The company developed the process independently. Faster production could help support large satellite constellations planned for the coming years.
China’s commercial space sector has increasingly focused on what industry observers describe as “industrialized aerospace.” The approach applies high-efficiency industrial manufacturing methods to spacecraft production. Companies aim to reduce costs and speed up development cycles.
China Expands Commercial Space Ambitions
China has recently increased support for commercial aerospace and satellite internet programs. In the country’s 2026 Government Work Report, aerospace was officially listed as one of China’s emerging pillar industries. The move signals stronger national backing for private space companies and related technologies.
Satellite internet networks are becoming an important part of the global communication infrastructure. Companies in several countries are racing to expand broadband coverage using low-Earth-orbit satellites. These systems are designed to deliver internet access to remote areas and improve mobile connectivity worldwide.
GalaxySpace said the umbrella antenna can also support remote sensing and navigation satellites. The company added that future systems may combine the antenna with flat-panel phased-array technology for stronger direct-to-cell communication services. Flat-panel phased arrays enable satellites to send and receive signals more efficiently over large areas.
The development reflects wider competition in the global satellite internet market. Countries and private firms are investing heavily in space-based communication systems. Efficient satellite hardware has become a key factor in improving network performance and reducing operational costs.
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GalaxySpace’s new antenna system demonstrates how commercial space companies are shifting toward scalable, efficient satellite production. The technology also highlights China’s broader push to strengthen its role in the global aerospace industry.
With increasing demand for satellite internet, compact and high-performance communication systems are expected to play a larger role in future space missions.
