In a pioneering move for climate and space technology, Hong Kong-based startup Stellerus Technology has announced plans to deploy the Feilian Constellation—the world’s first satellite constellation dedicated to capturing three-dimensional wind data. This ambitious project, named after the ancient Chinese god of wind, is set to transform how the world observes atmospheric dynamics, with vast implications for renewable energy, aviation safety, disaster management, and insurance modelling.
Bridging a Critical Data Gap in Meteorology
- Currently, 3D wind data—covering wind speed, direction, and vertical movement—is one of the least measured but most vital components of modern meteorology.
- Existing systems rely heavily on limited weather balloons and data collected from commercial aircraft, offering only sporadic insights. Satellite observations, too, fall short, particularly over oceans and in clear-sky conditions where cloud tracking is ineffective.
- Stellerus aims to close this data gap by deploying six satellites capable of producing hourly, kilometer-scale 3D wind maps worldwide.
- The first two satellites are scheduled for launch within 18 months, with full constellation deployment planned soon after.
Leadership and Vision
- At the helm of Stellerus is Professor Hui Su, co-founder and chairwoman, who brings extensive experience from her 17-year tenure at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
- Su is a two-time recipient of the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal and winner of the 2024 Banner I. Miller Award from the American Meteorological Society.
- In her words, “there is a significant lack of such detailed data globally,” adding that while organisations like NASA have considered similar missions, none have proceeded due to prohibitive launch and production costs—until now.
Cost Innovation Through Chinese Manufacturing
- What sets Stellerus apart is its economic feasibility. The company is leveraging China’s satellite manufacturing ecosystem, where costs are a fraction of those in the West.
- A satellite costing $100 million in the US can be built for just 20 million yuan (~$2.8 million) in China—achieving an astonishing 97% cost reduction.
- This cost-efficiency has enabled Stellerus to overcome the financial hurdles that have stopped others.
- The startup has already raised tens of millions of dollars and plans to scale further through global partnerships and applications.
Strategic Partnership with Chang Guang
- Stellerus is collaborating with Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., a leader in sub-meter resolution Earth observation and China’s first commercial remote-sensing satellite operator.
- Chang Guang’s constellation of over 100 satellites provides the technological backbone for the Feilian project.
- In 2023, HKUST and Chang Guang jointly launched HKUST-FYBB#1, Hong Kong’s first university-led environmental satellite.
- This partnership successfully reduced satellite weight by over 80% while improving image resolution—showcasing the technical prowess now being applied to Feilian.