#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 |#BRI #October2023 #Tiangong #ChinaSpaceStation #CMS #ChinaMannedSpace #Shenzhou17 #谭昊瑜 #TanHaoyu the Shenzhou 17 mission Batch Designer winner watches her mission launch excited beyond words.. ..

It is on the morning of October 26, 2023, the “Shenzhou 17” manned spacecraft carrying three Takionauts will be launched from the 921 station of the Jiuquan Satellite launch Center, Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China  by the “Long March 2F” Yao 17 carrier rocket to joining up with the Crew of the Shenzhou 16 Takionaut Crew onboard the Tiangong –China Space Station, On the 25th October 2023 CNSA- China National Space Administration According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Takionaut Shenzhou 17 Crew is aiming to be launched at 11:14 on October 26th 2023.

The crew for the Shenzhou 17 manned mission will consist of three Takionauts: Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, with Tang Hongbo serving as the commander. The crew includes 1 second-batch astronaut and 2 third-batch Takionauts. It is the youngest average age of the Takionaut crew since the launch of the space station construction mission…..

On the morning of October 26 2023, the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Three Takionauts, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, and the “Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo” carried the spacecraft to space. As the designer of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo, Tan Haoyu, a student at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, was also invited to the launch site to observe and witness.

At 11:13:59 in the morning, the Shenzhou 17 spacecraft was ignited and launched. There was a special audience at the scene. She was the designer of the Shenzhou 17 mission logo—Tan Haoyu, a first-year postgraduate student majoring in cultural and creative design at the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts.

At noon on the 26th, a cover news reporter contacted Tan Haoyu. She said that watching the logo she personally designed fly into space, she felt like she was still “in a dream.” “I arrived at the scene two days before the launch. In fact, before I came, I expected that I would be very excited, but when I went to the scene and watched it with the surrounding audience, it was a different feeling. That is the word ‘excited’ Two words can’t describe it.”

Due to a tight schedule, Tan Haoyu can only communicate with reporters by phone. She said that although the sunlight at the Jiuquan launch site was very strong, it still could not stop the enthusiasm of the audience in anticipating the launch of the “Shenzhou 17”.

“Especially the moment the rocket ignited, I could hear the roar of the rocket taking off and the cheers of the surrounding audience.” Tan Haoyu said that at that moment, he felt more deeply the pride of participating in the design, “It was like a huge wave facing us. It rushed forward and instantly drowned out all my thoughts, leaving only the spacecraft at the scene in my mind.”

According to previous reports, on February 15, 2023, the China Manned Space Engineering Office solicited from the public the logos of the three missions of Tianzhou 6, Shenzhou 16, and Shenzhou 17. After Tan Haoyu learned the news, he actively participated in the creative team of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and designed the Shenzhou 17 mission logo using “symmetrical” composition, highlighting the central focus, and combining the number “17” with the spacecraft tail flame.

In May of this year, Tan Haoyu accepted an exclusive interview with cover news and introduced in detail how she used just 11 days to design the “winning” work.

“Although the whole creation process only lasted 11 days, I used every bit of the creative feeling I accumulated in my life. Therefore, for me, the meaning of ‘ Shenzou 17- ‘ is even more special.” Tan Haoyu said this .

At the end of the call, Tan Haoyu told the cover news that experiencing this design has strengthened his belief in being an excellent designer. “I hope there will be more opportunities in the future to participate in design projects that serve the country.”​​​​

The Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo is the first mission logo publicly solicited from the whole society for the manned space project. It is the only work designed and selected by college students. As the mission is approaching, Tan Haoyu, the designer of the mission logo and a graduate student at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, is invited to share the design concept and mental journey of the mission logo.

Some feelings Exploring the vast universe has always been the millennium dream of our Chinese nation. I clearly remember the excitement and excitement every time I sat in front of the TV to count down and watch the launch of the spacecraft.

The mission logos of the Shenzhou 16, Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft and Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft launched this year are the first mission logos in the history of China’s manned space project to be publicly solicited from the whole society. When I saw this solicitation , as a student, I have both expectations and some apprehensions about being able to participate in this activity. At that time, I submitted the manuscript with a learning attitude and asked myself to do my best. The School of Design of Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts gave us great support for our creative submissions and organized a team of instructors to provide in-depth guidance.

​When I learned that the logo I designed was selected, I was very excited and surprised. I felt that my design was recognized. This greatly encouraged me and made me more confident on the road of learning and work hard. Come up with more meaningful designs. I hope my example can encourage more students to actively participate and contribute to the people, society and country!

Logo design concept

During the design and research phase, I conducted in-depth research on the logos of previous domestic manned space missions and related foreign space mission logos. I gained a systematic understanding of the design style, information transmission, and use of elements of aerospace logos, and clarified the concept of “solemn, vigorous, and vigorous” “Upward” is the main design direction of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo.

​In the process of designing the logo of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission, I used “starry sky”, “earth”, “space station” and “spacecraft tail flame” as the main elements in the logo. In order to express the mission and space station configuration characteristics more accurately, with the help of a team of instructors, I systematically sorted out the configuration changes of the space station from construction to completion, and gradually became familiar with the docking relationship between the spacecraft and the space station. In the end, I It can use intuitive graphic language to show the state of the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft docking with the forward port of the Tianhe core module of the space station after launch, and forming a three-cabin and three-ship combination.

I think the biggest design highlight of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo is the mission number “17”. After many attempts at expressing the mission number, I finally came up with the design idea of ​​combining the shape of the tail flame of Shenzhou 17 with the mission number “17”. The tail flame of this eruption makes the whole picture show a surging upward trend, which symbolizes the momentum of our country’s aerospace industry being prosperous and vigorously developing.

In my original design of the logo, the number “17” was not in the tail flame of the spacecraft. Instead, “17” is pressed behind the entire space station. Later, my instructor gave me some advice. If “17” was placed at the back, the hierarchy would look confusing and the space station and spacecraft would not be highlighted. So, I adjusted it to make the hierarchy clearer. During the process of many adjustments, I suddenly discovered that this tail flame part seems to be used to highlight the “17”, which will make the layers appear clearer. At the same time, there will also be a visual center point, so that “17” will be more conspicuous.

In addition, during the preliminary research, I also found that the previous task logo designs were not symmetrical, so I came up with the idea of ​​​​creating based on “symmetry”. The design of “17” and the spacecraft can be combined to present a state of “soaring into the sky”, and some of the stars I drew on both sides of “17” also have the overall effect of “rising up into the sky”. This kind of design is our best blessing to China’s aerospace industry, and also reflects the booming trend of our country’s aerospace industry.

In terms of the color matching of the logo, I will use dark blue representing “space” as the background color, with red representing “China” as the center. The significant color contrast makes the digital tail flame as eye-catching as a torch. Through the combination of blue and red These two colors pay tribute to what I consider the great spirit of manned spaceflight.

How the Shenzhou Seventeen logo was born
 

Let me share with you its evolution based on the works I drew.


This picture is my attempt at the logo of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission in the early draft stage. first Draft
process draft
 
During the revision stage, I further refined the configuration of the space station and spacecraft, and also made different attempts at composition, color matching, etc. After receiving feedback from the teacher, I was not satisfied with the colors, so I continued to adjust.
process draft
 
Entering the late revision stage, I recolored the logo, readjusted the composition, and came up with the idea of ​​using numbers as tail flames. I also appropriately shrunk the space station to highlight the main spacecraft of the current mission. 
At this time, I still felt that the overall tail flame digital combination was not satisfactory, so I continued to adjust.
Task ID final submission version
 
After repeated attempts, I chose to highlight the mission spacecraft and tail flame 17. I adjusted the stars in the background to match the dynamics of the spacecraft to give the feeling of rising. I modified the stars surrounding the outer ring of the logo and added changes in thickness to the lines to make them more dynamic. 
Done, submit!

On the eve of the launch mission, the China Manned Space Engineering Office will invite Tan Haoyu, the designer of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo, to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to watch the launch. At the same time, we welcome more aerospace enthusiasts from all walks of life to actively participate in the subsequent mission logo collection activities. The exciting launch moment is waiting for you to witness!

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 |#BRI #October2023 | #酒泉卫星发射中心 #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #Tiangong #ChinaSpaceStation #CMS #ChinaMannedSpace, #Shenzhou17 #Takionauts launch Day.. 26th October 2023 to meet up with the #Shenzhou16…

It is on the morning of October 26, 2023, the “Shenzhou 17” manned spacecraft carrying three Takionauts will be launched from the 921 station of the Jiuquan Satellite launch Center, Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China  by the “Long March 2F” Yao 17 carrier rocket to joining up with the Crew of the Shenzhou 16 Takionaut Crew onboard the Tiangong –China Space Station, On the 25th October 2023 CNSA- China National Space Administration According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Takionaut Shenzhou 17 Crew is aiming to be launched at 11:14 on October 26th 2023.

The crew for the Shenzhou 17 manned mission will consist of three Takionauts: Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, with Tang Hongbo serving as the commander. The crew includes 1 second-batch astronaut and 2 third-batch Takionauts. It is the youngest average age of the Takionaut crew since the launch of the space station construction mission…..

1. 汤洪波#TangHongbo
Tang Hongbo, male, Han nationality, native of Xiangtan, Hunan, master’s degree. Born in October 1975, he joined the army in September 1995 and joined the Communist Party of China in April 1997. He is currently a first-class astronaut in the Astronaut Group of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and holds the rank of Army Colonel. He once served as the captain of a certain regiment of a certain division of the Air Force Aviation Corps, and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. In May 2010, he was selected as the second batch of astronauts in my country. In June 2021, he carried out the Shenzhou 12 manned mission. In November of the same year, he was awarded the honorary title of “Heroic Astronaut” by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission, and received the “Level Three Space Meritorious Medal.” After a comprehensive evaluation, he was selected as the crew member of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission and served as the commander.
 
2. 唐胜杰TangShengjie
Tang Shengjie, male, Han nationality, native of Dingxi, Gansu, bachelor’s degree. Born in December 1989, he joined the army in September 2008 and joined the Communist Party of China in March 2013. He is currently a fourth-level astronaut in the Astronaut Group of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and has the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He once served as the squadron leader of a certain brigade of the Air Force Aviation Corps and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. In September 2020, he was selected as the third batch of astronauts in our country. After a comprehensive evaluation, he was selected as the crew member of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission.
 
3. 江新林#Jiang Xinlin
Jiang Xinlin, male, Han nationality, native of Qixian County, Henan, bachelor’s degree. Born in February 1988, he joined the army in September 2006 and joined the Communist Party of China in January 2010. He is currently a fourth-level astronaut in the Astronaut Group of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and has the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He once served as the deputy captain of a flying brigade of the Air Force Aviation Brigade and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. In September 2020, he was selected as the third batch of astronauts in our country. After a comprehensive evaluation, he was selected as the crew member of the Shenzhou 17 manned mission.

1. Mission purpose

1. Complete the on-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou 16 crew and stay for about 6 months;

2. Carry out on-orbit actual (test) experiments of space science and applied loads;

3. Carry out astronaut extravehicular activities and payload extravehicles, carry out extravehicular payload installation and space station maintenance and repairs, etc.;

4. Continuously evaluate the functional performance of the space station assembly and obtain valuable data and experience in the operation of the space station;

5. Assess the coordination and matching of the ground support center in executing space station operation and management tasks, and further improve the space station’s operation efficiency and fault handling capabilities.

2. Flight strategy

1. After the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft enters orbit, it will adopt the autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking mode and dock with the forward port of the Tianhe core module in about 6.5 hours, forming a three-cabin and three-ship combination.

2. During its stay in orbit, Shenzhou 17 will receive visits from the Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft;

3. Return to Dongfeng Landing Field around April 2024.

At 11:14 on October 26, 2023, Beijing time, my country successfully launched the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft from the 921 launch pad of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using the Long March 2F Yao-17 carrier rocket, carrying astronauts Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin. The three people were sent into the predetermined orbit and are expected to dock with the Chinese Space Station in 6.5 hours. This launch is the world’s 173rd space launch in 2023, China’s 49th, the fourth this month, and the second for the Long March 2F carrier rocket.sent the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft, which was occupied by the three Takionauts Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, into the predetermined orbit. The launch mission was a complete success. .

successfully docked with the Tianhe core module] After entering orbit, the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft successfully docked with the forward port of the Tianhe core module of the space station at 17:46 on October 26, 2023, Beijing time. , the entire docking process lasted about 6.5 hours. According to the mission plan, the three astronauts will then enter the Tianhe core module of the space station from the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft. The astronaut crew of Shenzhou 16 has made preparations to welcome the astronaut crew of Shenzhou 17.

【Great! #神十七Shenzhou 17 Mission Logo designer is a student]

This girl designed the Shenzhou 17 mission logo At 11:14 on October 26, the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft was launched into space, with three astronauts in the spacecraft. The Shenzhou 17 manned mission logo on the spacesuit worn was designed by Tan Haoyu, a 2022 graduate student at the School of Design, Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, making it the only work designed and selected by a college student.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 |#BRI #October2023| | #酒泉卫星发射中心 #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #Tiangong #ChinaSpaceStation #CMS #ChinaMannedSpace, #Takionaut #Shenzhou17 Announcement..

神十七航The Shenzhou 17 mission Chang Zheng- Long March 2F Yao 17 manned Carrier Rocket is about to be unveiled at the on the 19th October 2023 Thursday Hours Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration

It is expected that on the morning of October 26, 2023, the “Shenzhou 17” manned spacecraft carrying three astronauts will be launched from the 921 station of the Jiuquan launch site by the “Long March 2F” Yao 17 carrier rocket. After separation, the spacecraft will use the rapid rendezvous and docking mode to ascend to the forward port of the “Tianhe” core module of the Chinese Space Station to carry out the third astronaut crew rotation mission of China’s manned space program.

On the 25th October 2023 CNSA- China National Space Administration According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Takionaut Shenzhou 17 Crew is aiming to be launched at 11:14 on October 26th 2023.

After research and decision by the Space Station Application and Development Stage Mission Headquarters, the Takionaut crew for the Shenzhou 17 manned mission will consist of three astronauts: Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, with Tang Hongbo serving as the commander. The crew includes 1 second-batch astronaut and 2 third-batch astronauts. It is the youngest average age of the astronaut crew since the launch of the space station construction mission.

The composition of the Shenzhou 17 Takionaut crew still adopts the strategy of using the old to lead the new. It consists of 3 space pilots, including 1 second batch of Takionauts and 2 third batch of Takionauts. The commander is led by the second batch of astronauts. This is also the first time that the second batch of astronauts will lead the third batch of new Takionauts to perform a mission. In 2021, Tang Hongbo, as a member of the first batch of Takionauts to carry out the space station phase mission, experienced the historical moment when “Chinese people entered their own space station for the first time”. After two years, he will become the first person to return to the “Tiangong” to witness China’s speed and power in the construction of the Chinese space station. Tang Hongbo has also become the Chinese astronaut with the shortest interval between two missions so far.

Senior Colonel People’s Liberation Army Takionaut Corps (PLAAC) Taikonaut. Shenzhou 12 Takionaut Tang Hongbo: Reading makes me more powerful in the face of difficulties……From the boy in the Xiangtan countryside who grew up playing with mud to the heroic astronaut on a “space trip”, books make Tang Hongbo more powerful in the face of difficulties. During the 90-day duration mission in the first staging of the construction of Tiangong – China Space Station at the Tianhe core module  trip in space, he was accompanied by books, and his life was full and abundant.

Tang Hongbo, male, Han nationality, born in October 1975, native of Xiangtan, Hunan, member of the Communist Party of China, master’s degree. He joined the army in September 1995 and joined the Communist Party of China in April 1997. He used to be the captain of a certain regiment of a certain division of the Air Force Aviation Corps. He flew safely for 1159 hours and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. In May 2010, he was selected as the second batch of astronauts in China. In May 2016, he was selected as a backup astronaut for the Shenzhou 11 mission. In December 2019, he was selected as the crew of the Shenzhou 12 mission.

He is now a second-level Takionaut of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Astronaut Brigade, with the rank of colonel..

唐胜杰 Tang Shengjie

江新林 Xinlin Jiang

While the Shenzhou 16 manned spacecraft remains in orbit, the Shenzhou 16 astronaut crew will welcome the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft to visit and dock. The flight crew of Shenzhou 17 is composed of three Takionauts. The Shenzhou 17 spacecraft will be docked with the forward port of the core module of the space station to form a three-cabin and three-ship combination. 

On October 24, 2023, the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft launch mission organized a joint training for the entire region…

On October 25, 2023, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, after research and decision by the Space Station Application and Development Stage Flight Mission Headquarters, the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft will be launched at 11:14 on October 26, Beijing time. The astronaut crew performing the mission consisted of three Takionauts, Tang Hongbo , Tang Shengjie , and Jiang Xinlin , with Tang Hongbo serving as the commander.

Images and visuals are from Weibo also their respectives. CNSA –China National Space Administration  

#MadeInChina #中國製造 |#深蓝航天#DeepBlueLimitedCompany  #October2023| Deep Blue Aerospace #ReusableCarrierRocket Development Progress -The first long-distance test run of Deep Blue Aerospace’s #3DPrinted  #ThunderR1 #ReusableCarrierRocket  liquid oxygen kerosene engine was a complete success 420 Seconds .. !

深蓝航天  Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue Aerospace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China…  As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..

Recently , the reusable liquid engine “Thunder-R1” independently developed by Deep Blue Aerospace conducted its first long-distance test run of 420 seconds under rated operating conditions. The test run time covered more than twice the flight time of the first stage of the reusable rocket “Nebula-1 ” ; The engine started and shut down normally, and the whole process worked stably. The test was a complete success, marking that the “Thunder-R1” engine entered the series boundary, life and reliability test stage.

As China’s first pin-bolt reusable liquid oxygen kerosene engine , this long-distance test run verified the reliability and stability of the system and components of the “Thunder-R1” engine under rated operating conditions. The engine status is stable and its performance is excellent. It demonstrates the technical strength and product leadership of Deep Blue Aerospace’s reusable rocket engine, and proves that the “Thunder-R1” is one step closer to being officially delivered, carrying out the high-altitude recovery test of the first stage of the “Nebula-1” rocket, and flying into orbit.

 Thunder-R1″ is a liquid engine product specially developed for vertical recovery and reuse of launch vehicles. It currently demonstrates excellent performance in various aspects such as reuse, multiple starts, and wide-range thrust adjustment. 85% of the weight of this engine is made by 3D printing. It adopts a pump-back swing and has a compact structure. It is used as the main power for the first and second stages of the Deep Blue Aerospace “Nebula-1” recyclable and reusable liquid launch vehicle.

Up to now, the cumulative test run time of the same engine has reached 2,000 seconds, which has verified the anti-fatigue characteristics and service life of engine components in the harsh engine working environment.

The single ground ignition of the engine lasted 420 seconds. It assessed the long-range work coordination, process reliability and margin design of the entire engine and each component. According to real-time monitoring throughout the test run, the engine was working stably and in good condition. The test data is consistent with the set indicators, and all indicators meet the flight requirements of the “Nebula-1” rocket.

Long-distance test run is an indispensable and important link in the development, production and engineering application of a type of engine. The success of this long-distance test marks the rapid development of Deep Blue Aerospace’s reusable liquid oxygen kerosene rocket engine, and also provides strong power support for the subsequent “Nebula-1” rocket to enter orbit. Previously, the same “Thunder-R1” engine has completed starting and ignition test, complete machine test, secondary start test, and full flight sequence three-start test. In the future, we will continue to carry out ground testing work such as a series of working conditions for pulling deviation, swing test, life and reliability test for engineering applications. The “Thunder-R1” engine is the power foundation of the medium-sized launch vehicle “Nebula-1” and will cover the needs of liquid rockets entering orbit and first-stage recovery. 

Images and visuals are from their Respectives.

#CNSA #ChinaNationalSpaceAdministration #国家航天局 |#BRI #October2023 | #CLEP the #鹊桥号中继卫星#Queqiao2 #LunarRelay Satellite is expected to be launched in #WenchangSpacecraftLaunchCenter in #March2024  …..

鹊桥号中继卫星 Queqiao 2 Lunar Relay Satellite is expected to be launched in Wenchang in March 2024 from CNSA – China National Space Adminstration- Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China launched and deployed from the Chang Zheng- Long March 8 modified variant Carrier Rocket..  Designed to assistance communications between the far- Dark side of Earth’s Moon for further lunar  

“Chang’e 5”

After completing the three-step tasks of “circling”, “landing” and “returning”, China’s lunar exploration project has entered the fourth phase. This phase has planned “Chang’e 4” (already implemented), “Chang’e 6”, “Chang’e 6” and “Chang’e 6”. “7” and “Chang’e 8” and other four missions will eventually lay the foundation for the construction of an international lunar scientific research station.

It is expected that in the first half of 2024, my country will organize and implement the “Chang’e-6” mission to implement sample return in the south pole-Aitken basin (SPA) on the far side of the moon. This will be a pioneering step for human lunar exploration. Because a human spacecraft has never carried out a sample return on the far side of the moon before. To complete the feat of back-lunar sampling and return, it is necessary to provide support for back-lunar communications. Since the “Queqiao” relay communication satellite has entered the end of its life, it is imperative to launch new relay satellites.

Chang Zheng- Long March 5″ Yao 5 Carrier Rocket.- Wenchang Spacecraft launch center – Hainan Province China, People’s Republic of China
 

It is expected that in March 2024, the “Queqiao-2” relay communication satellite will be launched from the Wenchang launch site by the “Long March 8” carrier rocket. The satellite will be sent into the Earth-moon transfer orbit and then transferred to the orbit on its own. The “Queqiao-2” relay satellite has been upgraded on the basis of “Queqiao”. Its overall capabilities and level have been greatly improved, and its launch quality has nearly doubled. The “Queqiao-2” relay satellite weighs 1.2 tons, has an antenna diameter of 4.2 meters, and a design life of 8 years. The communication payload carried by the satellite includes a 4.2-meter-diameter X-band parabolic antenna inherited from “Queqiao” for communicating with the detector. It has no tracking device and points to the detector through the guidance navigation control system (GNC); a 0.6-meter-diameter S/Ka dual Frequency parabolic antenna used to transmit data to ground stations. Dual-axis tracking and pointing ground station; S-band antenna for measurement and control (TT&C); ultra-high frequency (UHF) relay antenna. As a relay communication satellite, “Queqiao 2” not only provides data and signal forwarding, but also forwards various instructions issued by the ground to the detector.

[Queqiao-2 Relay Star] The Queqiao-2 relay star weighs 1.2 tons, has an antenna of 4.2 meters, and a design life of 8 years. It is planned to be launched into the Earth-moon transfer orbit using the Long March 8 carrier rocket at the Wenchang launch site in March 2024. Queqiao Chang’e-2 will provide relay communication services for the Chang’e-6, 7, and 8 missions. Queqiao-2 also carries three scientific payloads: the extreme ultraviolet camera, the array neutral atom imager, and the Earth-Moon VLBI test system

In addition to its main mission of relay communications, “Queqiao 2” also undertakes additional detection missions and carries three scientific payloads: extreme ultraviolet camera, array neutral atom imager, and Very-long-baseline interferometry of the Earth and Moon. Interferometry, VLBI) test system.

After being put into operation, “Queqiao 2” will first serve the “Chang’e 6” mission, and then adjust its orbit at an appropriate time to provide services for “Chang’e 7”, “Chang’e 8” and subsequent lunar exploration missions. In addition, “Queqiao 2” will provide relay communication services for the “Chang’e 4” lander and the “Yutu 2” rover.

Via CNSA China Space Administration –CLEP China Lunar Exploration project management office