Chang'e 6 on the Moon's far side communicates with China via a satellite network.
In a significant leap for lunar exploration, China is set to advance its Queqiao satellite system with the deployment of Queqiao v1.0 and Queqiao v2.0. The development, set to unfold over the next few decades, promises improved remote-sensing capabilities, higher bandwidth, and better positioning resolution.
The first phase, Queqiao v1.0, is expected to be in place by 2030. This phase will consist of four components: Queqiao-2, Queqiao-3, and the Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 test satellites. Notably, Queqiao-2, a larger craft weighing 1,200kg (2,645lb), was launched in March 2024. This relay satellite has been placed in a frozen elliptical lunar orbit, allowing it to support missions across the whole of the Moon.
The main carriers of the proposed Queqiao constellation are the Chang'e lunar relay satellites. One of these, the original Queqiao, was launched on May 20, 2018, and played a crucial role in supporting the Chang'e 4 mission, the first mission to land on the lunar far side in January 2019.
The far side of the Moon always faces away from Earth, making communication with ground control challenging. Queqiao's halo orbit around the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrange point, which is behind the Moon with respect to Earth, has proven invaluable in overcoming this obstacle.
The Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 test satellites will be used to test lunar satellite navigation and communication technologies, paving the way for the second phase, Queqiao v2.0. This phase, consisting of 16 satellites, is expected to be deployed between 2030 and 2040. With this expansion, the Queqiao constellation could potentially provide navigation, communication, and remote-sensing services.
The final generation of Queqiao satellites, deployed in the 2040s, will have even higher performance and could act as interplanetary relay stations. These advanced satellites could play a crucial role in the Chang'e 6 mission, intended to return samples from the far side of the Moon.
An article about this development was published in the May 2024 issue of a leading website. The Queqiao constellation marks a significant step forward in China's lunar exploration efforts, promising to unlock new possibilities for scientific discovery and technological advancement.
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