分类： technology

China’s commercial space industry demonstrated remarkable expansion throughout 2025, achieving a significant milestone by conducting 50 orbital launches according to official data released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on January 21, 2026. This impressive figure represents 54% of the nation’s total space missions for the year, highlighting the growing dominance of private enterprises in the country’s space ambitions.

Commercial launch vehicles were responsible for 25 of these missions, while the newly operational Hainan Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site emerged as a crucial infrastructure asset, facilitating nine successful launches from China’s southern island province. The commercial sector’s contribution extended beyond launch services, deploying 311 satellites into orbit—accounting for an overwhelming 84% of all Chinese satellites launched during the period.

Technological advancements in reusable launch systems progressed substantially throughout the year. The Zhuque-3 reusable carrier rocket completed its inaugural flight, successfully demonstrating critical technologies including second-stage orbital insertion and first-stage re-entry and return capabilities. This achievement marks a substantial step forward in China’s pursuit of cost-effective space access through reusable rocket technology.

In a significant advancement for China’s commercial space sector, Beijing-based Galactic Energy has successfully completed a comprehensive system test for the engine powering its reusable PALLAS-2 rocket. The breakthrough test, conducted recently, marks a pivotal step toward the development of China’s indigenous reusable launch vehicle technology.

The CQ-90 liquid oxygen-kerosene engine, an upgraded variant of the company’s earlier CQ-50 model, demonstrated exceptional performance during the rigorous testing phase. According to official reports, the engine achieved smooth ignition, maintained stable operation throughout the test duration with highly visible flame characteristics, and executed a flawless shutdown sequence.

Performance data confirmed all parameters met or exceeded design specifications, with combustion efficiency reaching an impressive 96 percent threshold. The CQ-90 engine features advanced capabilities including bidirectional swing functionality of up to 6 degrees, multiple ignition capacity, and wide-range thrust variability – essential characteristics for reusable rocket operations.

The PALLAS-2 rocket, measuring 4.5 meters in diameter, will be available in two configurations. The baseline version will possess a lift-off mass of 757 tonnes, generating 910 tonnes of thrust with capacity to deliver 20 tonnes to low Earth orbit. An enhanced strap-on booster configuration will substantially increase capabilities to 1,950 tonnes lift-off mass, 2,730 tonnes of thrust, and 58 tonnes to low Earth orbit.

This technological achievement positions Galactic Energy as a competitive player in the global commercial space market and demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in reusable launch vehicle development, potentially reducing space access costs and increasing launch frequency capabilities.

Chinese aerospace engineers have commenced comprehensive analysis of a retired extravehicular spacesuit recently returned from the Tiangong space station, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space technology development. The B-type spacesuit, transported back to Earth aboard the Shenzhou XX return capsule on January 20, 2026, represents China’s first spacewalk garment to complete orbital service and undergo systematic post-mission examination.

According to the China Manned Space Agency, the suit possesses exceptional scientific value and historical significance following its extensive service in orbit. The garment was originally delivered to Tiangong via the Tianzhou 2 cargo spacecraft in May 2021 and achieved operational distinction during the Shenzhou XII mission’s inaugural spacewalk that July – a landmark extravehicular activity outside China’s space station that lasted six hours and 46 minutes.

Astronaut Tang Hongbo utilized the suit during this pioneering mission to install critical station components including robotic arm systems while simultaneously validating the suit’s performance parameters in actual space conditions. The returned equipment will now undergo meticulous technical evaluation and material degradation analysis to gather precise data on its orbital endurance characteristics.

Research outcomes are expected to directly inform design enhancements for future orbital spacesuits and establish fundamental engineering benchmarks for China’s developing lunar extravehicular activity system. The investigation particularly aims to support the nation’s ambitious crewed moon landing initiatives by providing authentic performance data from actual space operations.

Dubai Police have launched a groundbreaking digital platform exclusively for legal professionals, marking a significant advancement in the emirate’s digital transformation journey. The initiative, unveiled on January 20, 2026, introduces a specialized portal accessible through the Dubai Police website using secure UAE Pass authentication.

The platform represents the second generation of Dubai Police’s digital services, featuring seven specialized legal services designed to streamline procedures and enhance efficiency. Legal professionals can now complete paperwork, submit requests, upload documents, and monitor case progress around the clock without physical visits to police stations. Each registered lawyer receives a personalized digital dashboard to manage cases, consultants, and client-related requests comprehensively.

Major General Saleh Abdullah Murad, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Administrative Affairs, emphasized that the project transcends mere visual upgrades, delivering a complete digital experience built on three foundational pillars: service, empowerment, and vision. The system prioritizes accuracy, interactivity, and the elimination of bureaucratic hurdles.

A standout feature is the AI-powered consultant, AiX, which provides step-by-step guidance through services, inquiries, and reports, ensuring rapid access to precise information. Brigadier Majed Al Suwaidi, Director of the General Department of Police Stations, noted that the platform constitutes a qualitative shift in legal services, substantially reducing the need for in-person station visits and alleviating pressure on frontline services.

The initial rollout will proceed on a trial basis with select lawyers receiving invitation emails for registration. Once logged in, legal professionals can choose between general services and the dedicated lawyers’ portal. The comprehensive service suite includes linking powers of attorney, electronic document signing, criminal complaint filing, good conduct certificates, virtual detainee visit permits, and circular enquiries with direct digital payment capabilities.

Major General Khalid Nasser Al Razooqi, Director of the General Department of Artificial Intelligence, described the release as the ‘most comprehensive’ to date, developed under the highest institutional standards. This digital transformation aligns with Dubai’s zero bureaucracy objectives and represents a new era of accelerated, secure, and accessible digital services for the legal community.

In a significant move toward digital child protection, WhatsApp is currently developing a supervised secondary account feature designed specifically for minors. This innovative functionality will enable parents to establish connected accounts for their children while maintaining oversight of critical privacy configurations.

According to technical insights from WA Beta Info, these secondary profiles will operate with intentionally restricted capabilities and enhanced privacy protections. The accounts will be digitally linked to a parent’s primary account, creating an administrative bridge that allows guardians to review and modify settings that children might typically disregard.

A fundamental aspect of this new system involves automatic communication restrictions. All secondary accounts will be configured to receive messages and calls exclusively from approved contacts—a privacy option not currently available to standard WhatsApp users. This addresses a crucial safety gap particularly relevant for younger users navigating digital communication platforms.

Despite this supervisory framework, WhatsApp maintains its commitment to privacy through end-to-end encryption. Parents will not have direct access to their children’s actual message content or call recordings. Instead, they will receive aggregated reports about account activity patterns and usage statistics, creating a balance between oversight and respect for personal communications.

The development team is currently refining the integration of these parental control tools with WhatsApp’s existing infrastructure. The interface is being optimized to ensure intuitive configuration of secondary accounts, allowing parents to easily establish age-appropriate settings that promote online safety while preserving the WhatsApp experience.

This initiative represents WhatsApp’s acknowledgment of its role in family digital ecosystems and responds to growing concerns about children’s online privacy. The feature remains in development with no official release date announced, but it signals a new direction for the platform’s approach to multi-user environments within its encrypted messaging framework.

Gaozhou, a prominent lychee-producing region in Guangdong province, has pioneered the integration of artificial intelligence into agricultural practices, marking a significant advancement in precision farming. The implementation follows Guangdong’s provincial initiative to incorporate AI technologies into agricultural operations throughout 2026.

In the lush lychee orchards of Baiqiao village, Maoming, an optimized AI model now continuously monitors and analyzes multiple data streams including pest detection, disease prevention, and real-time weather conditions. This technological transformation has revolutionized traditional farming methods that previously relied on manual observation and experiential knowledge.

According to Xu Hong, head of the comprehensive department at Maoming’s Agricultural and Rural Affairs Center, the AI system enables unprecedented precision in cultivation management. “The model facilitates AI-driven guidance and data-informed decision-making throughout the lychee production cycle,” Xu explained, highlighting the system’s capability to process complex agricultural data instantly.

The technological intervention has yielded remarkable results: disease and pest diagnosis now occurs within seconds instead of relying on time-consuming manual assessment, with accuracy rates soaring to 95 percent. Furthermore, production efficiency has witnessed a substantial 30 percent improvement, demonstrating the tangible benefits of smart agriculture implementation.

The successful technological adoption contributed to Maoming’s exceptional 2025 harvest, which yielded over 620,000 metric tons of fresh lychees alongside export volumes reaching 8,183 tons. The lychee industry continues to serve as a cornerstone for regional economic development and rural revitalization throughout Guangdong province.

A technological renaissance is sweeping through the Hubei Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve, transforming traditional conservation methods for the endangered Pere David’s deer. The 1,567-hectare sanctuary has deployed an advanced intelligent monitoring system that represents a paradigm shift in wildlife protection strategies.

The reserve’s comprehensive digital infrastructure incorporates 450 high-definition cameras, 50 infrared imaging devices, and sophisticated environmental sensors, all interconnected through a 5G-powered artificial intelligence platform. This network has effectively replaced the labor-intensive manual patrols that once defined conservation work in the area.

Ranger Wang Chuanjun, a 57-year-old veteran conservationist, exemplifies this transformation. His daily routine has evolved from enduring 10-hour treks through challenging terrain—navigating waist-high vegetation, mud pits, and insect swarms—to monitoring the reserve through an intelligent digital dashboard. Wang now begins his workday by analyzing camera feeds to track deer distribution, monitor newborn fawns, and identify any signs of illness among the population.

The system’s impact has been quantitatively demonstrated since its March 2024 implementation, generating over 3,000 early warnings covering equipment malfunctions, potential fire hazards, and unauthorized human incursions. Environmental parameters including soil moisture, water quality, and meteorological conditions are continuously monitored to ensure optimal habitat conditions.

While physical patrols continue, they are now strategically guided by data-driven alerts, allowing rangers to respond precisely to identified issues rather than conducting exhaustive searches. “This technological integration has dramatically enhanced our operational efficiency, effectiveness, and overall working conditions,” Wang affirmed, highlighting the practical benefits of the digital conservation approach.

The accelerating pace of digital transformation across Middle Eastern nations is fundamentally reshaping enterprise security paradigms, according to insights revealed at Intersec Dubai 2026. Government-led initiatives and private sector adoption are creating a new security landscape where traditional access control methods are rapidly giving way to sophisticated biometric authentication systems.

Sam Cherif, Senior Director and Head of the Middle East at HID, emphasized that digital transformation is no longer a choice but a necessity driven by governmental vision programs including We the UAE Vision 2031 and Saudi Vision 2030. “The core challenge has shifted from whether to modernize to how to implement advanced security systems without introducing new vulnerabilities,” Cherif stated during the security technology exhibition.

Biometric authentication has emerged as a cornerstone technology, particularly in high-traffic environments including corporate campuses, critical infrastructure sites, and transportation hubs. Organizations are increasingly implementing multi-factor authentication protocols that combine facial recognition with mobile credentials to secure sensitive areas.

HID’s demonstration of its Amico biometric facial recognition readers highlighted the industry’s move toward contactless, high-throughput authentication systems. These next-generation devices represent a significant advancement over legacy biometric systems, which were often standalone devices with limited processing power and vulnerability to spoofing attacks.

Modern biometric platforms function as secure identity endpoints incorporating real-time liveness detection, anti-spoofing measures, and hardware-based encryption. “They operate within a broader trusted identity ecosystem,” Cherif explained, “seamlessly integrating physical access control with cloud-based identity management solutions.

The transition toward contactless access, accelerated during the global pandemic, continues to gain momentum with facial recognition and digital credentials replacing traditional authentication methods. Mobile credentials have become central to enabling fully contactless experiences, with over 60% of security leaders identifying them as the future of access control.

This shift aligns with broader sustainability goals and the region’s digital evolution, positioning mobile and virtual credentials as key components in the Middle East’s security infrastructure. HID’s regional strategy remains focused on supporting organizations through this digital transition, with growth projections tied directly to the region’s continuing technological advancement.

Ras Al Khaimah has enacted groundbreaking legislation placing all autonomous vehicle operations under the regulatory oversight of the emirate’s transport authority. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, officially issued Law No. (1) of 2026 on Monday, January 19, 2026, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for self-driving vehicles.

The legislation designates Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) as the primary regulatory body responsible for establishing technical and legal standards for autonomous vehicle deployment. The law mandates stringent safety protocols including automatic transition to safe mode when autonomous operations cannot continue, secure connectivity with control centers, and maintenance of transparent operational records.

Critical cybersecurity measures and data governance frameworks form a core component of the new regulations. The law explicitly defines operator responsibilities and ensures accessibility for all community segments, including People of Determination. Additionally, it requires public awareness campaigns and educational materials to facilitate safe public interaction with autonomous transportation systems.

Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, Director General of RAKTA, characterized the legislation as a strategic milestone that positions Ras Al Khaimah at the forefront of smart mobility innovation. The transport authority will implement continuous digital monitoring mechanisms and mandatory periodic reporting to ensure compliance with international safety and quality standards.

The law took effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette, with RAKTA assuming responsibility for issuing subsequent regulatory decisions to facilitate a structured transition toward autonomous transportation integration.