Origin Space

Origin Space (Chinese: 起源太空) is a seed-stage Chinese private company researching and developing technology to enable space resource utilization. The company contracted for its first satellite, a space telescope, to be built by DFH Satellite, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), "the state-owned main contractor for China’s space programs."[1]

The company was established in 2017, and raised additional capital in 2019 through a US$7 million angel round led by Linear Venture and Matrix Partners China.[1]

The initial company focus is on fielding multi-spectrum space telescopes. A small ultraviolet spectroscopy telescope flew in Earth orbit in late 2019. The company is working on an x-ray space telescope with Hong Kong University, and signed a contract to build an optical telescope.[1]

On 27 April 2021 the company successfully launched the NEO-1 satellite aboard a Long March 6 rocket. This satellite will be used to carry out scientific research based on observations of small celestial bodies in low-Earth orbit and to test a prototype technology for the acquisition of space resources.[2]

References
  1. Jones, Andrew (23 April 2020). "Chinese space resource utilization firm Origin Space signs deal for space telescope". SpaceNews. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  2. "商业"拼车"！长征六号一箭九星发射成功！" (in Chinese). CASC. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
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