China’s Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 satellites have achieved a significant milestone in space exploration by successfully conducting experiments in highly reliable Earth-Moon transmission and routing, as reported by Science and Technology Daily on Monday.
The twin satellites, part of China’s advanced communication and navigation technology tests, have demonstrated the potential to enhance the accuracy of spacecraft in determining lunar orbits through improved telemetric data. This advancement is poised to play a crucial role in future lunar missions, enabling more precise navigation and communication between Earth and the Moon.
Launched on March 20 alongside the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 entered their target circumlunar orbits on March 29. The duo separated on April 3, and by April 8, Tiandu-1 began flying in formation with Tiandu-2, maintaining a steady distance of approximately 200 kilometers. This formation flight is a testament to their stable communication capabilities, attitude control, and energy balance.
The successful operation of these satellites lays a solid foundation for a series of upcoming communication technology test missions. Notably, Tiandu-2 has captured and transmitted remarkable Earth-Moon group images, providing valuable data for both scientific research and public interest.
The three satellites—Queqiao-2, Tiandu-1, and Tiandu-2—are utilizing highly elliptical lunar frozen orbits as their operational pathways. This type of orbit is recognized for its stability, allowing the spacecraft to travel with minimal trajectory deviation, which is essential for long-term lunar missions and consistent communication links.
The breakthroughs achieved by the Tiandu satellites underscore China’s ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in space exploration and technology. These developments not only contribute to the scientific community but also open new possibilities for international cooperation and investment in space-related ventures.
Reference(s):
China's Tiandu satellites take Earth-Moon transmissions, routing tests
cgtn.com
