 Rendering of Queqiao 2 satellite | |
| Mission type | Communication relay Radio astronomy |
|---|---|
| Operator | CNSA |
| COSPAR ID | 2024-051A |
| SATCAT no. | 59274 |
| Mission duration | Planned: 8-10 years 6 months, 17 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | CAST-2000[1] |
| Manufacturer | DFH Satellite Company LTD |
| Dry mass | 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb) |
| Dimensions | Antenna: 4.2 metres (14 ft) in diameter[1] |
| Power | 1350W[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 March 2024, 00:31:28 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Long March 8[2] |
| Launch site | Wenchang LC-201[2] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Selenocentric frozen orbit |
| Periselene altitude | 1,991.69 km (1,237.58 mi)[3] |
| Aposelene altitude | 18,678.5 km (11,606.3 mi)[3] |
| Inclination | 119.249°[3] |
| Period | 26.18 hours[3] |
| Lunar orbiter | |
| Orbital insertion | 24 March 2024, 17:05 UTC[4] |
| Instruments | |
| |
Queqiao satellites | |
Queqiao-2 relay satellite (Chinese: 鹊桥二号中继卫星; pinyin: Quèqiáo èr hào zhōngjì wèixīng; lit. 'Magpie Bridge 2 relay satellite'), is the second of the communications relay and radio astronomy satellites designed to support the fourth phase the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program,[5][6][7] after Queqiao-1 launched in 2018. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Queqiao-2 relay satellite on 20 March 2024 to an elliptical frozen orbit around the Moon to support communications from the far side of the Moon and the Lunar south pole.[8][9][10][11]
The name Queqiao (ch'wuh-ch'yow, "Magpie Bridge") was inspired by and came from the Chinese tale The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.[8][7][12]
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
final-designwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c "China launches Queqiao-2 relay satellite to support moon missions". Spacenews.com. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
scottorbitwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "鹊桥二号中继星成功实施近月制动 顺利进入环月轨道飞行" (in Simplified Chinese). 新华网. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "成功！". Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b Lihua, Zhang (2024-03-02). "Development and Prospect of Chinese Lunar Relay Communication Satellite". Space: Science & Technology. 2021. doi:10.34133/2021/3471608.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
space-wallwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Queqiao". NASA.
- ^ "嫦娥六号或明年5月发射 实现月球背面采样返回 | 联合早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Sina Visitor System". passport.weibo.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "鹊桥二号中继星计划明年发射 --科技日报数字报". digitalpaper.stdaily.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.