Chinese scientists have unveiled ambitious plans to develop a comprehensive communications and navigation network between the Earth and the Moon.
This infrastructure is Chinese Moon It will achieve exploration objectives and make space travel safer and more efficient.The proposed system includes a constellation of satellites and ground stations to provide real-time communication, navigation and monitoring services for lunar exploration missions.
Information Superhighway
The researchers Chinese Academy of Space Sciences (CAST) The Beijing Spacecraft Systems Engineering Institute has outlined a roadmap for establishing an information superhighway between Earth and the Moon, a network of 30 satellites and three lunar ground stations that would allow up to 20 simultaneous users to communicate and navigate in real time.
Yang MengfeiChief Designer China’s Chang’e 5 missionThe US Space Agency stressed the strategic importance of the project: “Near-Earth space has become a new frontier for human activity. Space activity in this region will expand rapidly over the next decade, giving rise to new global competition.” The infrastructure will support a range of space missions by providing precise positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, essential for both manned and robotic missions.
The construction of this infrastructure is Chinese Long-term Space Exploration Goals. The network is intended to provide comprehensive services for communications, navigation and data transmission, enabling lunar missions to be carried out with high precision and reliability. The ability to maintain real-time communications and navigation is critical to the success of future lunar exploration and potential colonization efforts.
Stages of development
The development of the near-Earth lunar infrastructure is planned in three phases, with each phase building on the previous to create a robust and reliable network.
initialThis phase will focus on supporting robotic and human lunar missions using two satellites in elliptical orbits and a control station on the lunar surface. This initial system will enable at least 10 users to simultaneously communicate with the lunar south pole region, laying the foundation for more complex operations and establishing the primary communications channel required for lunar missions.
Expansion PhaseIn this phase, ten satellites will orbit the Moon, the Earth, and a specific location called the Earth-Moon Lagrangian point. A second lunar ground station will be established, increasing data transmission speed to 5 gigabytes per second and improving navigation accuracy to 100 meters in the lunar south pole region. This phase aims to expand the network coverage and improve performance to be able to support different mission requirements.
Final stageDuring this phase, a comprehensive network of 30 satellites and three lunar ground stations will be integrated, achieving a data transmission rate of 10 gigabytes per second. Navigation accuracy will be improved to 10 meters for lunar surface activities and 50 meters for travel between the Earth and the Moon. The Very Long Baseline Interferometry system will track spacecraft over distances of up to 900 million kilometers with an accuracy of less than one kilometer, supporting deep space missions to Jupiter and beyond. “Our study has laid out a roadmap for the step-by-step assembly of such a constellation, expanding coverage from the lunar south polar region to the entire Moon,” said Peng Jing, deputy chief designer of China’s Chang’e-5 mission.
Lunar GPS: High-precision navigation system
In addition to the communications network, Chinese scientists are planning a satellite-based navigation system to orbit the Moon, which will often Lunar GPSThe system will provide high-precision location services to improve navigation and positioning accuracy during lunar travel, landing and takeoff.
of Navigation system The system will be developed in three phases, with satellites deployed in four different orbits. The aim is to maintain a sustainable and cost-effective design that ensures reliable coverage and high accuracy. Peng Jing elaborated on the significance of the system, saying, “The constellation of satellites in the lunar near-space will provide real-time, high-precision navigation and positioning for lunar travel, landing and takeoff, and support frequent human lunar exploration in the long term.”
this Lunar GPS This system will be crucial to the success of future lunar missions, providing accurate navigation data that will help ensure safe landings, efficient surface operations, and reliable returns. The system’s high-precision services will also be essential for scientific research, resource extraction, and potential habitation on the lunar surface.
International competition and cooperation
Concept Lunar near space infrastructure It has attracted global attention, with the United States, Europe and Japan also proposing similar systems to support their lunar exploration ambitions. The United States Air Force is developing an Earth-orbiting Highway Patrol system to detect, track and identify man-made objects at distances up to the moon.
China’s efforts aim to establish a competitive position in the emerging Earth orbit economy and support the nation’s ambitions as a space power. The proposed infrastructure aims to avoid repetitive construction and optimize resource allocation for future missions. Manned Moon Landingthe construction of an international lunar research station, and exploration missions beyond the solar system.
Responding to growing interest Lunar Nearby InfrastructureInternational cooperation could also play an important role. Sharing technology, data and best practices could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of lunar exploration activities. Joint projects could lead to more sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes, and foster a spirit of cooperation in the peaceful uses of space.
