Smart Dragon 3 | Geely Constellation Group 05

China's Smart Dragon 3 Rocket Propels Geely's Satellite Ambitions Forward

On September 8, 2025, China's space sector marked another milestone with the launch of the Smart Dragon 3 rocket, carrying the Geely Constellation Group 05 mission. This flight deployed 11 low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellites, primarily aimed at advancing autonomous driving and inter-vehicle communication technologies for Geely Automotive, one of China's leading car manufacturers. The satellites also included secondary payloads for ocean observation, highlighting the mission's multifaceted role in both commercial innovation and environmental monitoring.

The mission's core objectives center on building a robust satellite network to support Geely's push into smart mobility. These satellites are designed to facilitate real-time data exchange between vehicles, enabling features like vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, which is crucial for autonomous driving systems. By providing low-latency connectivity in LEO—typically orbiting at altitudes of 500 to 1,000 kilometers—the constellation can relay signals for traffic management, collision avoidance, and predictive maintenance. Additionally, the ocean observation payloads incorporate sensors for monitoring sea surface temperatures, wave patterns, and marine pollution, contributing valuable data to global climate research and maritime safety. This dual-purpose approach underscores Geely's strategy to leverage space assets not just for automotive applications but also for broader scientific endeavors, potentially integrating satellite data into electric vehicle navigation systems for enhanced environmental awareness.

At the heart of the mission is the Smart Dragon 3 rocket, a solid-fueled launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). Standing approximately 31 meters tall with a diameter of 3.35 meters, it boasts a launch mass of about 116 tons and is capable of delivering up to 1,500 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket's three-stage design relies entirely on solid propellants, which offer advantages in rapid deployment and simplified logistics compared to liquid-fueled counterparts. This makes it particularly suited for commercial missions requiring quick turnaround times. Key technical specifications include a first-stage thrust of around 200 tons, enabling it to achieve orbital insertion with high reliability. The Smart Dragon series emphasizes cost-effectiveness, with each launch estimated at under $10 million, positioning it as a competitive option in the growing small satellite market.

The Smart Dragon 3 has built a solid performance history since its debut in 2022. This 2025 flight represents its fourth successful mission, maintaining a perfect record with no failures to date