China has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in medical technology by performing the world’s first satellite-based, ultra-remote surgeries. Using the Apstar-6D broadband communications satellite, positioned 36,000 km above Earth, surgeons conducted five complex operations remotely, a feat that could transform trauma care in remote and high-intensity combat zones.
Doctors from the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital performed the surgeries from locations in Lhasa (Tibet), Dali (Yunnan), and Sanya (Hainan), while the patients, located in Beijing, underwent procedures on their liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. A domestically developed robotic surgical system facilitated the operations, and all patients reportedly recovered and were discharged the following day, according to CCTV.
Each surgical movement’s data traveled a two-way distance of nearly 150,000 km, showcasing the potential of satellite technology for long-distance medical interventions. “These remote surgeries spanned China’s mountains and straits, proving the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of complex long-distance operations using home-grown satellite and robotic technologies,” said CCTV.
As reported by economictimes, the Apstar-6D satellite, launched in 2020, was instrumental in this success. Offering 50 gigabits per second of data transmission and a 15-year lifespan, it provides extensive coverage across the Asia-Pacific region, including air and sea routes. This satellite is part of a planned constellation aimed at delivering broadband connectivity to remote areas, aircraft, and ships.
One notable surgery involved Dr. Liu Rong, operating from Lhasa, successfully removing a liver tumor from a patient in Beijing. Advanced communication optimizations, including data classification, Quality of Service control, and traffic management, reduced latency to near the physical limits of satellite communication, ensuring precision during the operation.
Experts believe this achievement could pave the way for satellite-based surgeries to become a “fully normalised and commercialised clinical practice,” providing life-saving interventions in remote areas with 24/7 global coverage. Unlike ground-based infrastructure, satellite systems overcome geographic and logistical constraints, enabling broader coverage and faster deployment.
In November, China further advanced its satellite communication capabilities with the launch of Apstar-6E, the country’s first all-electric propulsion communications satellite, delivered to Indonesia, signaling continued progress in this domain.