Hey space fans! 🚀 Big news from Beijing: Chinese scientists just launched the world’s first three-satellite constellation in the Earth-Moon region. Unveiled during the Earth-Moon Space DRO Exploration Research Academic Symposium on April 15, this breakthrough is part of a pioneering project by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The mission, initiated last year, saw one satellite settle in a sun-synchronous orbit about 500 km high, while its two counterparts aimed for the distant retrograde orbit (DRO) – a unique, energy-efficient path shaped by clever gravitational assists. Despite an initial hiccup that sent them only halfway to their target, a swift rescue maneuver got them back on track, even with minor sail panel damage. With benefits like lower fuel use, long-term stability, and improved maneuverability, DRO is proving to be a game-changer for space exploration.
Wang Wenbin from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Space Application Engineering and Technology Center highlighted that this mission also marks the debut of satellite-to-satellite tracking. By effectively converting a traditional ground station into an agile low Earth orbit tracker, this method opens exciting new avenues for future Earth-Moon and deep-space missions. Ready to join the ride to the stars? 🌌
Reference(s):
China Pioneers Earth-Moon Exploration with First Three-Satellite Constellation
cctv.com
