Tiandu Explained

Tiandu
Image Upright:1.0
Mission Type:Technology demonstration
Operator:Deep Space Exploration Laboratory
CNSA
Mission Duration: (in progress)
Spacecraft:Tiandu
Manufacturer:Deep Space Exploration Laboratory
Launch Date:20 March 2024, 00:31 UTC[1]
Launch Rocket:Long March 8[2]
Launch Site:Wenchang Space Launch Site LC-2[3]
Orbit Reference:Selenocentric elliptic orbit
Apsis:selene
Interplanetary:
Type:orbiter
Arrival Date:24 March 2024, 17:43 UTC[4]

Tiandu satellites are a pair of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program's lunar navigation and communications test satellites based on Queqiao-2 relay satellite technology.[5] [6] [7]

Design and development

Tiandu satellites will perform navigation and communications technology verification experiments while flying in formation in lunar orbit. Satellite-to-ground laser ranging as well as intersatellite microwave ranging techniques will also be tested.[8]

The Tiandu satellites' mission is to inform the design of China's proposed Queqiao lunar navigation and communication array. Supporting services for lunar surface operations would be provided by such system. Line-of-sight communications limits affect uncrewed and crewed operations on the Moon, especially at the lunar south pole, an area of great interest, or the lunar far side.[9]

The Tiandu-1 carries a Ka dual-band integrated communication payload, a laser retroreflector, a space router and other payloads. The Tiandu-2 carries a communication payload and navigation devices.[10]

Mission

The mission was launched together as a single probe with Queqiao 2 in 2024 on a Long March 8 rocket.[11]

After launch, the two satellites (while being attached to each other) underwent lunar orbit insertion on 24 March 2024 at 17:43 UTC and entered a large elliptical orbit around the Moon.[12] In that large elliptical orbit around the Moon, they separated on 3 April 2024[13] and later satellite-to-ground laser ranging are inter-satellite microwave ranging are to be carried out by these satellites via high-precision lunar orbit determination technology.[14] [15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: China launches Queqiao-2 relay satellite to support moon missions. Space.com. 20 March 2024.
  2. Web site: China launches Queqiao-2 relay satellite to support moon missions. Space.com. 20 March 2024.
  3. Web site: China launches Queqiao-2 relay satellite to support moon missions. Space.com. 20 March 2024.
  4. Web site: Jones . Andrew . 2024-03-25 . China's Queqiao-2 relay satellite enters lunar orbit . 2024-03-26 . SpaceNews . en-US.
  5. Web site: Tiandu 1, 2 . 2024-03-23 . Gunter's Space Page . en.
  6. Web site: Andrew Jones . 2023-05-09 . China to launch communications relay satellite to the moon in early 2024 . 2024-03-23 . Space.com . en.
  7. Web site: MSN . 2024-03-23 . www.msn.com.
  8. Web site: 2024-02-04 . Testing, testing … China to test new satellite tech for Chang'e 6 lunar mission . 2024-03-23 . South China Morning Post . en.
  9. Web site: Litvinov . Nikita . 2024-02-08 . China will launch experimental satellites to the Moon . 2024-03-23 . Журнал The Universemagazine Space Tech . en-US.
  10. Web site: 郭凯 . China set to launch two experimental satellites . 2024-03-23 . www.chinadaily.com.cn.
  11. Web site: China launches Queqiao-2 as key relay communication platform for future lunar missions - China Military . 2024-03-23 . eng.chinamil.com.cn.
  12. Web site: Jones . Andrew . 2024-03-25 . China's Queqiao-2 relay satellite enters lunar orbit . 2024-03-26 . SpaceNews . en-US.
  13. Web site: 探月工程里程碑:天都二号卫星成功应用冷气微推进系统 . 2024-04-04 . Weixin Official Accounts Platform.
  14. Web site: China to launch communications relay satellite to the moon in early 2024 . Space.com . 10 May 2023 . Andrew . Jones .
  15. Web site: 我国将发射"天都一号""天都二号"探月卫星-新华网 . 2024-03-20 . www.news.cn.
  16. Web site: Andrew Jones . 2022-03-31 . China has big plans for its new Tiandu space exploration laboratory . 2024-03-23 . Space.com . en.