QUEQUIAO-2

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Context

• China's National Space Administration (CNSA) has declared the launch of Queqiao-2 a "complete success," underscoring its importance in China's space exploration program.

Details

• Queqiao-2 was launched along with two miniature satellites, Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2.

About Queqiao-2 Relay Satellite

• Queqiao-2, the second of two communication relay and radio astronomy satellites, supports China's Lunar Exploration Program by providing communication capabilities to the far side of the Moon.
• Named after the mythological magpie bridge.

Mission Planning:

• Queqiao-2 acts as the primary communication switch for China's fourth phase of lunar missions.
• As part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), Queqiao-2 supports upcoming Chang'e missions, including Chang'e 6, 7, and 8, planned for the lunar south pole.
• It addresses the need for a complex communication network to accommodate multiple lunar probes, with the goal of supporting up to ten active robots during the ILRS phase.
• Mission Tasks: The satellite's primary task is to relay signals to and from the upcoming Chang'e-6 mission, slated for launch in May. This mission aims to retrieve samples from an ancient lunar basin on the far side of the Moon.
• Future Support: Queqiao-2 will continue to support upcoming lunar missions, including Chang'e-7 in 2026 and Chang'e-8 in 2028, by providing essential relay communication services.
• Communication Achievements: The satellite has already established communication with Chang'e 4, the pioneering spacecraft that performed a soft landing on the far side of the Moon, as well as the Chang'e-6 probe while it is still on the ground.

Design:

• Queqiao-2 is based on the CAST 2000 bus and operates with a frozen elliptic orbit around the Moon.
• Its design includes advanced propulsion systems, solar panels, and a large parabolic antenna for communication with lunar surface probes.
• The satellite's orbit allows for approximately eight hours of visual contact with the Moon during each 12-hour orbit, ensuring stable communication.

Scientific Payloads:

• The spacecraft carries three scientific payloads, including a particle imager, an extreme ultraviolet camera, and a lunar orbit VLBI experiment.
• These instruments enable observation of the terrestrial magnetosphere, lunar surface, and radio sources outside the Milky Way.

Comparison with Queqiao:

• Queqiao-2 represents an upgrade over the original Queqiao satellite, with enhancements in mass, power supply, and communication capabilities.
• Its elliptical lunar orbit allows for improved line of sight with surface probes and communication with Earth.
• Notable differences between Queqiao and Queqiao-2 include orbit type, antenna configuration, communication speeds, and operational timelines.

Conclusion

• Queqiao-2 plays a vital role in advancing lunar exploration and communication, supporting China's ambitious space exploration goals and contributing to international scientific research efforts.

Must read articles:

Chang’e 6

Sources:

Economic Times