China Achieves Digital Sovereignty in Space: OpenHarmony OS Successfully Tested on Satellite

China has successfully tested its own operating system in space, marking a significant stride toward reducing dependence on foreign software amid tightening Western sanctions.

The Dalian-1 Lianli cubesat, deployed from the Chinese space station Tiangong, spent over a thousand hours trialing systems powered by OpenHarmony—an open-source, streamlined variant of Huawei’s HarmonyOS. The operating system demonstrated exceptional efficiency and reliability under the rigors of space, enabling rapid data processing and stable hardware performance. This achievement represents just one example of China’s broader push to cultivate indigenous operating systems and reduce technological reliance on external powers.

Researchers from Dalian and Xi’an reported that, following the switch to OpenHarmony, the satellite responded more swiftly to commands and tracked its position with greater precision. Three core subsystems—the magnetometer, solar sensor, and orientation unit—functioned flawlessly. Command-response latency was reduced to a mere two microseconds, allowing for far more frequent data updates and significantly enhancing the satellite’s overall performance.

According to the journal Space: Science and Technology, the new system outperformed prior solutions based on rudimentary firmware or foreign software. It is the first Chinese satellite to integrate both a domestically developed operating system and a homegrown processor, showcasing the nation’s capacity for complete autonomy in managing spacecraft technologies.

Building on these results, the team led by Professor Yu Xiaozhou at Dalian University of Technology has drafted national standards for the integration of OpenHarmony into small satellites. The system has already begun deployment in both commercial and academic ventures within China.

Huawei, blacklisted by the U.S. government in 2019, lost access to critical American technologies—an action that compelled China to accelerate the development of homegrown alternatives, including operating systems. Yet, the Chinese tech giant has continued its forward momentum, and recent milestones suggest that sanctions have not curtailed its technological aspirations. Today, the OpenHarmony project is overseen by the OpenAtom Foundation and is gaining traction in satellite and embedded platforms.

Previously, China had relied on foreign or open-source platforms such as FreeRTOS, which were initially attractive due to the lack of licensing constraints. However, that reliance became burdensome, especially after export controls were imposed on foreign semiconductors. According to Yu, this hampered the growth of the nation’s satellite capabilities. The shift toward domestically engineered technologies reflects a broader strategic vision—one in which China is decisively moving away from its dependence on American software. The creation of a wholly national software-hardware ecosystem now stands as the country’s bold response to this geopolitical challenge.