China prepares to launch Queqiao-2 lunar satellite.

Описание: China prepares to launch Queqiao-2 lunar satellite,

China is preparing to launch its Queqiao-2 communications relay satellite on March 19, which will play a crucial role in maintaining communication for upcoming lunar missions. The first mission it will support is Chang’e-6, a far-side sample return mission scheduled for May.

Queqiao-2 will be launched aboard a Long March 8 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite weighs 1,200 kilograms and features a 4.2-meter parabolic antenna, utilizing X and UHF bands for communication with China’s Chang’e spacecraft. Once in space, it will operate in a highly elliptical lunar orbit, facilitating communication between Earth and the far side of the Moon.

With an expected lifetime of nearly a decade, Queqiao-2 will support not only Chang’e-6 but also future missions such as Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8, particularly focusing on the lunar south pole.

Although China’s space administration hasn't officially disclosed launch times, airspace closure notices indicate potential launch windows between 8:21–8:47 pm and 9:45–10:16 pm ET on March 19.

This launch will mark the third flight of China's Long March 8 rocket, following its debut in 2020 and subsequent records for launching the most satellites by a single rocket.

The Chang’e-6 mission aims to collect lunar material from the far side of the Moon, contrasting with Chang’e-5's near-side sample return in 2020. Queqiao-2 will also carry scientific payloads, including an extreme ultraviolet camera and the Earth-moon length baseline very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) experiment.

Additionally, the Queqiao-2 mission will deploy two experimental satellites, Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2, which will conduct navigation and communications tests in lunar orbit, including satellite-to-ground laser ranging and inter-satellite microwave ranging methods.

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