Within a factory building boasting a height of 13 meters, large-scale equipment such as flexible assembly platforms, giant vacuum thermal test chambers, and 35-ton vibration tables are arranged in sequence... On July 17th, a scene of bustling activity unfolded inside the Satellite Shared Manufacturing Center and the Satellite Shared Testing Center located within the Pilot Base of the Xiongan Science and Technology Innovation Center. Staff members were busy conducting debugging and testing on the equipment in both facilities. In the near future, these two shared centers will officially commence operations and open their doors to commercial aerospace enterprises nationwide, aiming to address industry pain points like heavy capital investment, long testing wait times, and significant satellite transportation distances.

Currently, for commercial aerospace companies based in Xiongan, once satellite manufacturing is complete, some necessary tests must be conducted in regions like Beijing-Tianjin or even the Yangtze River Delta. The journey from satellite production to launch involves over a thousand testing procedures. Having to travel back and forth to different locations for these tests not only extends the production timeline but also increases costs and transportation risks. Recognizing this industry challenge, the Xiongan New Area swiftly initiated the construction of these platforms, starting work at the end of November last year. The centers are designed to provide supporting services for relocated entities and established commercial aerospace firms while also offering standardized public services to the broader commercial aerospace sector across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the entire country, addressing common industry development needs.

Once operational, these two shared centers will enable companies to complete the assembly and testing of various satellite types—including those for communications, remote sensing, and navigation—without the need to invest tens of millions in purchasing specialized equipment themselves. Upon entering the Satellite Shared Manufacturing Center, the first impression is its "height." The factory building's ceiling stands at a full 13 meters, and even after interior finishing, the clear height remains at 10 meters. This ample vertical space allows satellites and large equipment to fit comfortably and provides sufficient safe operating room for overhead cranes. After assembly on the main assembly platform, a satellite is hoisted and guided by a crane, smoothly gliding along tracks to the testing area. This process eliminates the need for ground transfer or switching vehicles, enabling a seamless transition from assembly to "health checks" all within the same facility.

The secret to simultaneously producing satellites for different purposes—such as communications, remote sensing, and navigation—lies in a production line design that is not tied to specific models but rather to processes. Yang Jinshuo, Operations Manager for the Aerospace Information Industry at the Xiongan Science Park, explains that unlike traditional assembly lines designed for a single satellite model, the Xiongan Satellite Shared Manufacturing Center has constructed a flexible production line. It modularizes key stages like final assembly, testing, and integration. To manufacture satellites for different purposes, one only needs to adjust the satellite components and payload equipment configured in the material library. According to its design capacity, this center can support the research, development, and manufacturing of up to 50 different satellite models annually.

Directly opposite the Satellite Shared Manufacturing Center sits the Satellite Shared Testing Center. The walls and ceilings at the entrances of both centers are densely fitted with 228 air shower nozzles. All satellite equipment must pass through dust removal and purification processes upon entry and exit to ensure the production and testing environment meets stringent cleanliness standards. Further inside, the most prominent feature is a large chamber with a diameter of 6.6 meters and a depth of 10 meters—the thermal vacuum test chamber. Assembled satellites undergo a "seclusion" period of 4 to 7 days inside this chamber, where they are subjected to simulated extreme temperature variations from intense cold to extreme heat to verify their ability to withstand the harsh conditions of space.

The capabilities of the testing center extend far beyond this single test. From high-low temperature cycle testing to vibration and acoustic testing, and on to electromagnetic compatibility testing, the center provides comprehensive coverage for nearly every critical checkpoint a satellite must pass before launch. Estimates indicate that the testing center has an annual capacity to test up to 100 complete satellites and 200 sets of payloads.

"The infrastructure investment for the Satellite Shared Manufacturing Center and the Satellite Shared Testing Center amounts to approximately 300 million yuan. Once operational, companies based at the Pilot Base of the Xiongan Science and Technology Innovation Center will be able to complete all specialized pre-launch testing procedures for satellites in a one-stop manner," Yang Jinshuo stated.

Despite not yet being formally operational, business inquiries have already begun to arrive. Not long ago, Yang Jinshuo received a call from the chairman of a Beijing-based commercial aerospace company. He subsequently accompanied the company's team on an on-site inspection, providing detailed introductions to the testing capabilities of both centers. He revealed that several cooperative projects are currently under discussion.

This early interest from companies reflects the growing agglomeration effect of the aerospace information industry within the Xiongan New Area. To date, the Pilot Base of the Xiongan Science and Technology Innovation Center has attracted over 20 enterprises, with nearly one-third involved in the aerospace information and satellite internet sectors. Looking at a broader scope, the Xiongan New Area has already gathered 69 companies within the aerospace information and satellite internet ecosystem. The notion of "engaging in aerospace? Go to Xiongan" is gradually becoming an industry consensus.