Based on the world record nomination from the Asia Records Institute (ASRI) and Decision No. WK/USA.INDIA1427/2026/No.882, the World Records Union (WorldKings) officially declared Qwen-3 as the world's first AI model operating in orbit.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited moved its artificial intelligence ambitions into space after its Qwen-3 model became the first general-purpose AI to run inference in orbit, a breakthrough that underscores China's growing lead in space-based computing and signals new long-term growth avenues for Alibaba Cloud.

Qwen-3 became the first general-purpose AI model to be uploaded and operated in space after Chinese aerospace startup Adaspace Technology deployed it to an orbital computing center.

Adaspace deployed Qwen-3 within its initial space computing center, part of the broader "Star-Compute Project." Wang Yabo, Executive Vice Chairman of Chinese aerospace startup Adaspace Technology, said the project envisions a 2,800-satellite network designed to support physical AI, which refers to AI systems that interact with the physical world, as well as AI training and inference, which involves teaching AI models and using them to make predictions.

The initial computing center, launched in May last year, marked the world's first AI computing satellite constellation, consisting of 12 satellites.

Qwen-3, released in April last year, helped Alibaba Cloud's Qwen ecosystem grow, surpassing Meta Platforms Inc.'s Llama community by providing advanced AI capabilities and fostering a collaborative environment for developers and researchers.

Adaspace's second and third space computing centers are currently in production and scheduled for launch in 2026.

Adaspace plans to deploy 2,400 inference satellites and 400 training units in low-Earth orbit, with full deployment expected by 2035.

According to sahmcapital.com