Exovera’s report, China’s Space-Based Moving Target Indication (MTI) Capabilities, explores how China is progressing toward operational MTI from orbit, despite technical challenges. The Jilin-1 constellation has demonstrated limited aircraft detection since 2018, and the 2024 launch of the Weihai-1 satellite marks China’s first space platform dedicated to maritime MTI.
China is advancing in key research areas—non-linear tracking, infrared detection, AI-driven image recognition, and low-SNR detection—with support from military-affiliated institutions. Recent launches, such as the Taijing and Gaojing series, along with the C-SAR-equipped Nüwa constellation, expand China’s persistent surveillance capacity.
