At 07:35 on August 19, the Honghu-03 satellite, independently developed by Hongqing Technology and transported by the FAW Jiefang convoy, was successfully launched into orbit aboard the reusable Zhuque-3 Y2 launch vehicle at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Site. The launch mission was a success.
As a leader in the commercial vehicle sector, FAW Jiefang draws on over 70 years of expertise in complete vehicle manufacturing and transport support. It keeps pushing its capabilities for high-end equipment missions, safeguarding major national projects.
Hongqing Technology, an emerging player in commercial space, targets mass-producible satellite systems. The company keeps refining large-scale satellite manufacturing technologies to support China’s satellite internet development.
This partnership builds an industrial bridge connecting space and earth: one end links large-scale satellite constellations in orbit, while the other connects precision ground transportation on our planet.
The Honghu-03 satellite, the first satellite built in Xiong’an, is a technology demonstration satellite developed to meet the mass-production demands of satellite internet. It marks the leap from zero to one for intelligent manufacturing within Xiong’an New Area’s aerospace information industry. It also serves as a critical test case for China’s commercial satellite industry shifting from custom-built satellites toward mass production — an essential milestone to turn the low-orbit satellite internet constellation from blueprint into reality.
On July 23, the FAW Jiefang satellite transport convoy departed Xiong’an New Area carrying this landmark satellite. After a 2-day journey, it arrived at Jiuquan, successfully completing the final ground leg of the satellite’s journey before launch into orbit.
This 1,750-kilometer transport mission is more than just covering geographical distance. It represents a handover across seven decades of history. Back in 1956, China’s first domestically made vehicle, the Jiefang CA10, rolled off the assembly line, ending the nation’s inability to manufacture automobiles. Seventy years later, Jiefang trucks now carry China’s latest commercial space achievements toward their destination. Where truck wheels cannot reach, satellite orbits take over.
China’s wheels and China’s satellite orbits have met in a meaningful industrial convergence within this era.
The route crossed diverse harsh terrain: flat highways, highland slopes and Gobi desert. Temperatures in the Jiuquan region exceeded 40°C. The convoy faced multiple extreme operating conditions: intense heat and sun exposure, high-altitude oxygen shortage, strong crosswinds in the desert, and dramatic temperature swings between day and night. The whole trip put the vehicle’s overall performance to a rigorous test.
The Jiefang J7 is tasked with transporting the satellite
1. Ultra-Reliable Core Assembly
Powered by the 13L 6DM3 engine with a B10 service life of 1.5 million kilometers, the truck features fully optimized matching among the engine, transmission and axle. This integrated calibration delivers outstanding resistance to thermal decay and mechanical fatigue. All core components including the frame, suspension and braking system have passed strict reliability tests, ensuring stable performance of the chassis and powertrain even under harsh Gobi wind and sand conditions.
2. Full-Range Safety Protection
Equipped with a 12-speed T-Shift AMT transmission, the vehicle achieves intelligent, precise and smooth gear shifting with consistent power delivery. It comes with a complete suite of active safety systems, including EBS+ESC, AEBS automatic emergency braking, as well as LDWS and FCW dual early-warning functions. Paired with a high-power hydraulic retarder, it effectively prevents brake thermal fading and maintains linear, stable braking performance. Additional tire pressure monitoring and driver fatigue monitoring systems further enhance driving stability, keeping the vehicle track secure when facing sudden road changes or strong crosswinds.
3. Intelligent Fuel-Saving Performance
The optimized golden powertrain is finely calibrated for diverse working scenarios, enabling strong torque output at low engine speeds through seamless coordination between the engine, gearbox and axle. Aerodynamic upgrades including low-drag deflectors significantly reduce wind resistance during high-speed cruising. The intelligent VCU vehicle control unit automatically adjusts power output according to real-time road conditions, achieving adaptive fuel efficiency optimization across all operating scenarios.
4. Premium and Comfortable Cabin Experience
Adopting a high-roof flat-floor cabin with four-point airbag suspension, the vehicle effectively filters road vibrations and bumps. The premium airbag damping seat reduces driver fatigue during long-distance transportation. Full vehicle NVH noise reduction packages deliver an ultra-quiet cabin environment, even during high-speed driving or strong windy desert conditions. With a full LCD instrument panel and multi-functional steering wheel, all operations are simplified to reduce driver workload and ensure a comfortable, focused driving experience.
The Jiefang J6L carries the associated supporting equipment
1. Outstanding Power Performance
Equipped with a large-displacement powertrain, the vehicle delivers a rated power of 240 horsepower and a peak torque of 900N·m. It generates ample torque at low speeds, perfectly compensating for power loss caused by oxygen deficiency at high altitudes. To cope with extreme high temperatures exceeding 40℃ in Jiuquan, the intelligent electric-controlled cooling fan system dynamically adjusts fan speed based on engine load and ambient temperature, enabling efficient heat dissipation and stable power output under harsh hot working conditions.
2. Reliable Handling and Comprehensive Safety
Fitted with an 8-speed synchronized transmission, the truck achieves smooth, jitter-free gear shifts with seamless power delivery. Adopting high-pressure power steering technology, it offers precise and responsive handling, effectively resisting strong crosswinds in desert areas and maintaining a stable driving track in all scenarios. Fully equipped with active and passive safety systems including vehicle stability control and ABS anti-lock braking, the truck handles sudden road conditions reliably. Its brake system features excellent thermal fade resistance, delivering consistent and linear braking performance without performance degradation in extreme environments, fully safeguarding the safe transportation of precision equipment.
3. Ultra-Smooth Driving Experience
The extended leaf spring suspension structure provides superior cushioning performance, minimizing body vibration and keeping the vehicle stable on rough roads. With linear power output and gentle, shock-free braking, the truck reduces driving disturbances from the powertrain, chassis and braking system in all aspects. This outstanding smoothness fully meets the strict transportation requirements of high-precision and fragile equipment.
4. Energy Efficiency and Long Endurance
Optimized and mature powertrain electronic control calibration delivers excellent fuel economy across all road and working conditions. Paired with a large-capacity fuel tank and ultra-low fuel consumption, the truck requires fewer refueling stops during long-haul transportation. This avoids frequent vehicle starts and stops, effectively eliminating vibration and disturbance to precision cargo throughout the journey.
Overall, the vehicle’s all-round superior performance enables stable, safe, smooth and cost-effective long-distance transportation. It can reliably cope with various harsh extreme working conditions, providing solid and professional transportation guarantees for high-value precision cargo missions.
Wheels roll across the earth, while satellite orbits reach toward the cosmos.
For seven decades, FAW Jiefang has built vehicles defined by quality and reliability. Moving forward, we stay committed to our vision: Tech-driven Jiefang, Green Jiefang, Global Jiefang. Powered by our homegrown technology, we safeguard China’s advanced manufacturing, delivering high-end precision equipment safely toward its journey into space.
