Harbin Institute of Technology Launches New "Lilac 3" Satellite
A new disc-shaped satellite, "Lilac 3," developed by students at Harbin Institute of Technology, has been successfully launched and transmitted its first video footage from orbit.
The "Lilac 3" satellite, developed by students from the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), was successfully launched on July 22, 2026. It was among nine satellites sent into orbit aboard a Gravity-1 Y2 rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
"Lilac 3" is an ultra-flat, disc-shaped satellite described as resembling a "flying saucer." It measures one meter in diameter with a thickness not exceeding five centimeters and weighs approximately 30 kilograms. This design allows for efficient stacking during launch and facilitates multi-satellite networking. The satellite can also utilize the thin atmosphere to help control its orbit and altitude by adjusting its attitude.
Key technologies to be validated in orbit include the ultra-flat configuration and attitude control assisted by atmospheric drag in very low Earth orbit. The primary payload is a scientific instrument designed to detect low-frequency electromagnetic waves, intended for studying ionospheric plasma fluctuations and their propagation characteristics between the Earth and the ionosphere.
The satellite transmitted its first telemetry data and images starting on July 31, 2026. The initial video captured recognizable landmarks over China, including the Tengger Desert, Qinghai Lake, and the Sichuan Basin. The satellite also carries a creative educational payload, a "pinwheel," which is designed to spin in the thin atmosphere and capture educational videos to promote space science awareness.