China has conducted the world’s first satellite-based, ultra-remote surgeries, a breakthrough in medical technology that could transform trauma care, especially in high-intensity war zones. According to the South China Morning Post, the operations were carried out using the Apstar-6D broadband communications satellite, which is located at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers above the Earth.A streak of success
Doctors at the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital successfully performed five surgeries on Lhasa in Tibet, Dali in Yunnan and Sanya in Hainan. Patients in Beijing underwent procedures for their liver, gallbladder or pancreas with the help of a locally developed robotic surgical system. All the patients reportedly recovered and were discharged the next day, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Medical assistance is spread over wide areas.
In a significant achievement, each surgical movement data covered a two-way distance of approximately 150,000 km, demonstrating domestic and international innovation in medical technology.
CCTV reported, “In this regard Remote surgery Spanning China’s mountains and straits, demonstrating the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of conducting complex long-range operations using domestic satellite technologies and robotic systems.”
What is Apstar-6D?
gave Apstar-6D satelliteLaunched in 2020, contributed to this success. Capable of delivering 50 gigabits per second and boasting a lifespan of 15 years, it provides extensive coverage in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly for air and sea routes.
Apstar-6D is the first in a planned constellation of three to four geostationary satellites designed to offer broadband connectivity to aircraft, ships and remote areas.
One of these surgeries involved the removal of a liver tumor by Dr. Liu Rong of Lhasa, while the patient was in Beijing. The success of this operation is made possible by advanced communication optimization, including data classification, quality of service control, and traffic management. These measures significantly reduced latency, bringing it closer to the physical limits of satellite communications.
The milestone signals the potential for satellite-based surgeries to become “a fully normalized and commercialized clinical practice”, offering 24/7 global coverage and enabling life-saving interventions even in the most remote locations. is Unlike ground-based infrastructure, satellite communications overcome geographic and logistical constraints, providing wider coverage and faster deployment.
In November, China further advanced its satellite communications technology by delivering the Apstar-6E, the country’s first all-electric propulsion communications satellite, to Indonesia.