Alibaba Group Holding Ltd will activate¹ a "one-station, one satellite" plan ahead of this year's Nov 11 shopping festival, the company confirmed to China Daily on Monday.

 

阿里巴巴集团将在今年双11购物节前启动“一站一星”计划。

 

The tech giant plans to launch a mini space station called Candy Tin and a communication satellite called Tmall International as its initial steps into space, the company said. 

 

The purpose is to enhance user experience during the 24-hour shopping extravaganza, which enters its 10th year. Space technology will better serve the integration² of online and offline shopping interactions during the festival.

 

It remains³ unclear whether Alibaba conducted the research and development of the satellite on its own, or whether the space station and satellite will cooperate with other international or State-backed space projects in the future.

 

An Alibaba spokeswoman said more details regarding the project will be disclosed on Tuesday.

 

Alibaba kicked off a massive countdown campaign on Friday for the Singles Day promotion⁴, recruiting 180,000 brands to join in the annual gala.

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