China Queqiao-2 relay satellite is now fully operational and poised to play a pivotal role in not only China’s ambitious lunar exploration program but also in supporting future international missions to the Moon. This advanced communications bridge, named after the mythical “Magpie Bridge,” represents a significant leap forward in lunar infrastructure, enabling unprecedented access to the Moon’s far side and south pole regions.
Launched in March 2024, Queqiao-2 has undergone extensive in-orbit testing and is now providing stable and reliable communication services. Its successful operation was crucial for the recent Chang’e-6 mission, which made history by retrieving samples from the Moon’s far side – a feat that would be impossible without such a dedicated relay.
Key Capabilities and Impact:
- Bridging the Lunar Divide: The Moon’s far side is perpetually hidden from Earth due to tidal locking, making direct communication impossible. Queqiao-2, strategically positioned in a highly elliptical “frozen orbit” around the Moon, overcomes this challenge by maintaining a line of sight with both lunar surface missions and Earth ground stations. This allows for continuous data transmission and command relay, essential for complex operations.
- Enhanced Performance: Queqiao-2 is a substantial upgrade from its predecessor, Queqiao-1 (launched in 2018 to support Chang’e-4). Weighing 1,200 kilograms and equipped with a large 4.2-meter diameter parabolic antenna, it boasts significantly improved communication rates and a longer designed lifespan of at least eight years. Its stable orbit also demands minimal fuel for maintenance, ensuring prolonged operational capability.
- Scientific Breakthroughs: Beyond its primary communication function, Queqiao-2 carries three sophisticated scientific payloads:
- Extreme Ultraviolet Camera: This instrument has already captured the world’s first panoramic image of the ionosphere at 83.4-nanometer wavelength, providing crucial data for studying the impact of solar activity on the plasmasphere.
- Two-dimensional-coded Energetic Neutral Atom Imager: This imager provides high-resolution observations of energetic neutral atoms in the magnetosphere, offering insights into particle dynamics during various geomagnetic conditions.
- Earth-Moon Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Experiment System: In coordination with ground stations, this system has extended observation distances to an unprecedented 380,000 kilometers, enabling precise measurements of deep-space targets and contributing to the accuracy of spacecraft orbit determination.
- Supporting Future Missions: Queqiao-2 is slated to provide critical support for China’s upcoming lunar missions, including Chang’e-7 (around 2026), which aims to explore the Moon’s south pole for resources, and Chang’e-8 (around 2028), focused on in-situ resource utilization experiments. These missions are part of China’s broader plan to establish a basic structure for an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2035.
- Global Collaboration Potential: Significantly, China has stated that Queqiao-2 is ready to provide relay services for lunar missions from other countries. This open approach underscores the potential for increased international cooperation in lunar exploration, sharing vital communication infrastructure to further humanity’s understanding of our closest celestial neighbor.
The smooth operation of Queqiao-2 marks a pivotal moment in lunar exploration. It not only solidifies China’s capabilities in deep space communications but also paves the way for a more connected and collaborative future in humanity’s pursuit of lunar knowledge.