Mino Space

MinoSpace, formally known as Beijing Weina Star Technology Co., Ltd., was established in Beijing on August 7, 2017, entering the market three years after the Chinese government opened the space technology sector to private investment. The company's founders, including Gao Enyu, Wu Shufan, and Yiheng Huan, transitioned from government institutions with the objective of commercializing satellite manufacturing, a domain previously dominated by the state. Gao Enyu was a chief designer for communications satellites at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), while Wu Shufan brought 17 years of experience from European institutions like the European Space Agency. Yiheng Huan, a senior aerospace engineer with 16 years of experience, was instrumental in developing key national projects.

The company operates on a vertically integrated business model, offering comprehensive, one-stop solutions that cover the entire satellite lifecycle. This includes satellite design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing (AIT), as well as launch services and ground segment support for clients in commercial, government, and educational sectors. MinoSpace generates revenue by providing these end-to-end services and selling standardized satellite platforms and core components directly to clients, aiming to reduce mission costs and development timelines. By May 2025, the company had successfully launched 27 satellites. A significant contract was secured in May 2024, valued at approximately $111 million, to build a remote sensing satellite constellation for Sichuan Province, comprising six synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and four optical imaging satellites.

MinoSpace provides a range of satellite platforms and components. Its offerings include platforms scaling from 10 kg CubeSats to larger systems weighing over 200 kg. The MN10 is a 10 kg platform for applications like low-resolution remote sensing, while the MN50 platform is designed for higher-resolution optical payloads. The company is also developing platforms for more advanced applications, including hyperspectral imaging and SAR systems. A key product is the Taijing-4, a 239 kg Ku-band SAR satellite that features an onboard intelligent processing system for rapid image generation in orbit. The company has developed China's first commercial Ku-band phased array radar imaging satellite and a 0.5m high-resolution optical satellite. To support its operations, MinoSpace maintains advanced AIT facilities and employs a workforce of around 400 people.

Keywords: satellite manufacturing, small satellites, Earth Observation, SAR satellites, satellite components, NewSpace, satellite constellation, remote sensing, ground stations, satellite platforms, space technology, Ku-band radar, optical imaging, satellite design, launch services, AIT facilities, aerospace engineering, commercial space, Beijing, China