Latest news with #Tiandu-1
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Chinese scientists set record with daytime laser ranging to Moon satellite 130,000 kilometers away
Source: China Daily Chinese scientists have made a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration by successfully conducting satellite lasers ranging in the Earth-moon space during the day, overcoming the strong daylight interference. According to Li Yuqiang, a researcher at Yunnan Observatories, the research team successfully beamed a laser to the Tiandu-1 satellite , approximately 130,000 kilometers away from the Earth, and captured the return signal using a newly upgraded near-infrared lunar laser ranging system of an 1.2 meter telescope. This achievement enhances navigation and positioning capabilities in the Earth-moon space, supporting future deep-space exploration projects. China's groundbreaking daytime laser signal to Tiandu-1 satellite This experiment, conducted on April 26-27, marked the first-ever daytime Earth-to-moon laser-ranging trial. According to , China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory successfully fired a precision laser from Earth to the Tiandu-1 satellite, approximately 130,000 kilometers away, with the signal returning despite strong sunlight interference. Researchers at the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , said, it marks a significant breakthrough in precise deep-space orbit measurement. Previously, limited to night time due to sunlight interference, the technology achieved centimeter-level accuracy, setting a new standard for future space operations. This advancement is seen as a significant step toward China's planned crewed lunar mission by 2030. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Breakthrough by China This accomplishment in laser ranging will improve the lunar missions of China, and exploration of deep space, through precise orbital measurements and communications. This achievement of this experiment also displays China's progress in lunar navigation and space communications, providing us with the opportunity to carry out more accurate and frequent missions to the Moon and beyond. Also read | Unique rare Earth elements unveiled on an underwater island; here's what it means for the future
The Star
08-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
Is China's Tiandu-1 first to enter resonant Earth-moon orbit? US raises doubts
China's Tiandu-1 satellite has entered a critical fuel-efficient orbit that synchronises with the motion of the Earth and moon, but claims that it is the first spacecraft to achieve the feat have been challenged by US and Canadian experts. The 3:1 resonant orbit – in which Tiandu-1 completes three loops of the Earth for every circuit made by the moon – is seen as a breakthrough for lunar infrastructure, including a BeiDou-like guidance system that will be needed for interplanetary exploration. Developer Deep Space Exploration Laboratory said that 'the Tiandu-1 navigation test satellite successfully carried out a key manoeuvre at perigee [the point in orbit when it is closest to Earth] on May 22 and precisely transitioned into a 3:1 Earth-moon resonant orbit'. 'This made Tiandu-1 the first spacecraft to enter a round-trip 3:1 Earth-moon resonant trajectory,' according to a statement on the website of the laboratory based in Hefei, Anhui province in central China. 'Its flight data will provide support for advancing technologies such as orbit maintenance, control, and autonomous navigation in complex gravitational environments.' Experts in the US and Canada immediately challenged the claim, pointing to Nasa's 15-year-old Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) probe that entered a near-identical orbit in 2011, where it continues to operate. Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astronomer and space historian, and Canada-based amateur stargazer Scott Tilley both said it was debatable whether Tiandu-1 could lay claim to the title, with the IBEX craft's achievement of near 3:1 resonance. 'Yes, indeed Tiandu-1 has entered a 3:1 resonance orbit. Whether it's the first is launched in 2008 uses a similar orbit,' Tilley said. According to McDowell, the advantage of resonant orbits is that they allow a spacecraft to operate far from Earth while avoiding the unpredictable, chaotic motion caused by frequent lunar fly-bys. 'The resonance provides stability,' he said. In a 3:1 resonance, the 61kg (135lb) Tiandu-1 – which launched alongside the Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite last year – completes each petal of its three-lobed orbit around the Earth roughly every nine days – the same amount of time it takes the moon to complete one. In April, state news agency Xinhua reported that China's DRO-B satellite had departed lunar orbit, after helping to establish the 'world's first three-satellite constellation in cislunar space', and entered an Earth-moon resonant orbit. DRO-B, a 277kg Chinese satellite that was salvaged after being stranded in the wrong orbit due to a launch mishap last year, is currently in a 3:2 Earth-moon resonant orbit, according to Tilley, who is best known for helping Nasa to find its long-lost IMAGE satellite in 2018. The Canadian amateur astronomer, who tracks satellites in his spare time, said he noticed that DRO-B had vanished from its known lunar orbit more than a month ago and began searching for it. Using graphics and research papers, Tilley modelled a 3:2 resonance orbit – one that tours the gravitational balance points between Earth and the moon known as L3, L4, and L5. After an exhaustive search, he spotted DRO-B in such an orbit. DRO-B completes three circles around Earth in the time it takes the moon to complete two. The satellite traces a broad, triangular loop with lobes near the L3, L4, and L5 points, which it swings past roughly every 18 days. 'DRO-B is not transmitting all the time like it used to, and it's likely [to be] having minor power issues as its solar panel supports were damaged during the launch mishap,' Tilley said. He added that DRO-B's orbit was especially notable because this specific class of 3:2 resonance orbit had never been used before. 'Japan's Hiten lunar probe did visit some of these points, but didn't use a 3:2 resonance orbit.' According to Tilley, China's use of these orbits seemed to be all about testing navigation-related technologies. 'Having a system that covers the entire Earth-moon system for orbital determination and positioning would be very helpful,' he said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Sustainability Times
05-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
China Hits the Moon With a Laser: First Daylight Lunar Reflection in History Stuns Scientists and Ignites Global Space Race
IN A NUTSHELL 🌕 China's Space Milestone: Successfully fired a precision laser across over 80,000 miles to bounce off a satellite orbiting the Moon during daylight. Successfully fired a precision laser across over 80,000 miles to bounce off a satellite orbiting the Moon during daylight. 🔭 Satellite Laser Ranging: Achieved remarkable precision akin to hitting a single hair from 6.2 miles away, expanding the limits of existing technology. Achieved remarkable precision akin to hitting a single hair from 6.2 miles away, expanding the limits of existing technology. 🚀 Lunar Ambitions: Part of China's plan to establish a permanent lunar presence by 2035, with a crewed landing targeted by 2030. Part of China's plan to establish a permanent lunar presence by 2035, with a crewed landing targeted by 2030. 🌌 Future Challenges and Opportunities: Raises questions about international cooperation, competition, and the management of increasing space traffic. China's recent achievement in space exploration marks a groundbreaking milestone in laser technology. The nation successfully fired a precision laser across over 80,000 miles of space to bounce it off a satellite orbiting the Moon during daylight. This feat showcases China's relentless pursuit of technological advancement and strengthens its position in the global space race. The experiment, conducted by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), plays a crucial role in China's ambitious plans to establish a permanent lunar presence by 2035. This article delves into the intricate details of this remarkable achievement and its implications for future space missions. Precision and Mastery: The Art of Satellite Laser Ranging Satellite laser ranging is considered the gold standard for determining satellite orbits with pinpoint accuracy. The process involves firing nanosecond pulses from ground stations, which bounce off retroreflectors on spacecraft and return to reveal the distance down to centimeters. While this technique is routine for low-Earth satellites, the challenge multiplies when dealing with the Earth-Moon distance, especially under daylight conditions. China's recent success in overcoming solar background noise to achieve accurate measurements during daylight expands the limits of this technology significantly. This remarkable precision is likened to 'aiming at a sub-millimeter target—essentially a single hair—from over 6.2 miles away.' By achieving such accuracy, China can now gather orbital data whenever the Tiandu-1 satellite passes within view, enhancing the frequency and reliability of measurements. This development is crucial for the planned Queqiao constellation, which aims to provide continuous communications and navigation support for various lunar missions. '8,000 Miles of Hacker-Proof Security': China's quantum satellite forges this unprecedented secure link to South Africa, redefining global communications A Step Closer to China's Lunar Ambitions China's space endeavors are part of a more extensive plan to establish a permanent foothold on the Moon. The Tiandu-1 satellite, along with Tiandu-2 and the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, form the backbone of China's lunar exploration infrastructure. These satellites have already delivered detailed images of the lunar surface and demonstrated successful cross-link communications, paving the way for more ambitious missions. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has set an ambitious timeline, targeting a crewed lunar landing by 2030. The construction of the International Lunar Research Station, a collaborative effort with Russia, is expected to begin by 2035. Laser ranging technology will play a pivotal role in various aspects of lunar exploration, including approach-and-landing guidance and the coordination of rover fleets exploring the Moon's surface. The US on High Alert: China's Largest Nuclear Reactor Passes Final Test as Global Power Tensions Explode Expanding the Horizons of Earth-Moon Links With the success of the daylight laser ranging experiment, DSEL plans to extend daytime trials to longer ranges and higher repetition rates. This advancement will integrate more seamlessly into routine deep-space operations, enhancing the reliability of Earth-Moon links. The experiment follows the successful 2024 launch of Chang'e-6, which returned soil samples from the Moon's far side, underscoring the importance of robust communication and navigation systems in space exploration. Beyond laser technology, China is exploring other innovative solutions to support its lunar ambitions. The CNSA anticipates the need for a comprehensive space-traffic management system to handle the estimated 100,000 satellites in low Earth orbit by the decade's end. In collaboration with Russia, China is also evaluating nuclear reactors and alternative power sources for the International Lunar Research Station under the Chang'e-8 mission. 'China's Secret Spaceplane Exposed': Austrian Amateur Snaps Stunning Image as Mysterious Craft Soars Over Europe Future Prospects: Challenges and Opportunities China's achievements in laser technology and lunar exploration present both challenges and opportunities. The nation's advancements in space technology could spur increased competition among space-faring nations, potentially leading to new collaborations and innovations. However, the growing number of satellites in orbit also raises concerns about space traffic management and the potential for collisions. As China continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the implications for international cooperation and competition remain to be seen. How will other nations respond to China's rapid advancements in space technology? Will these achievements lead to new opportunities for collaboration, or will they intensify the global space race? The future of space exploration is undoubtedly intriguing, with many questions yet to be answered. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (29)
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's daytime laser ranging breakthrough takes moon race to new heights
China's Tiandu-1 satellite has taken part in a laser ranging experiment in Earth-moon space under strong daylight conditions, which the satellite's developer says is the first test of its kind. Advertisement China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) ran a laser ranging experiment on April 26-27 from the Earth to the Tiandu-1 experimental satellite, which has been orbiting the moon since its launch in March last year, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Satellite laser ranging measures the distance to orbiting satellites, which involves a laser at an observatory sending pulses of light to the satellite which then bounce back, allowing for distance to be calculated. While satellite laser ranging tracks Earth-orbiting satellites during the day, conducting these experiments in Earth-moon space has previously been limited to nighttime, as strong daylight can interfere with the laser signal and cause signals to be lost in background noise. This allows limited observation windows and data collection for satellites in Earth-moon and lunar orbit, which are vital to China's push for expanding its presence on the moon. The test, which DSEL told state media was the world's first Earth-moon laser ranging test under strong daylight conditions, expands the limits of the technology and will help with carrying out future deep space missions. Advertisement The Tiandu-1 satellite was launched into space alongside the Tiandu-2 and Queqiao-2 relay satellites in March last year. The mission was intended to help verify new technologies in the construction of an Earth-moon communication and navigation system.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's daytime laser ranging breakthrough takes moon race to new height
China's Tiandu-1 satellite has taken part in a laser ranging experiment in Earth-moon space under strong daylight conditions, which the satellite's developer says is the first test of its kind. Advertisement China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) ran a laser ranging experiment on April 26-27 from the Earth to the Tiandu-1 experimental satellite, which has been orbiting the moon since its launch in March last year, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Satellite laser ranging measures the distance to orbiting satellites, which involves a laser at an observatory sending pulses of light to the satellite which then bounce back, allowing for distance to be calculated. While satellite laser ranging tracks Earth-orbiting satellites during the day, conducting these experiments in Earth-moon space has previously been limited to nighttime, as strong daylight can interfere with the laser signal and cause signals to be lost in background noise. This allows limited observation windows and data collection for satellites in Earth-moon and lunar orbit, which are vital to China's push for expanding its presence on the moon. The test, which DSEL told state media was the world's first Earth-moon laser ranging test under strong daylight conditions, expands the limits of the technology and will help with carrying out future deep space missions. Advertisement The Tiandu-1 satellite was launched into space alongside the Tiandu-2 and Queqiao-2 relay satellites in March last year. The mission was intended to help verify new technologies in the construction of an Earth-moon communication and navigation system.
