Queqiao-2 relay satellite
Chinese satellite / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Queqiao-2 relay satellite (Chinese: 鹊桥二号中继卫星; pinyin: Quèqiáo èr hào zhōngjì wèixīng; lit. 'Magpie Bridge 2 relay satellite'), is a second of the two communications relay and radio astronomy satellites designed to support the fourth phase the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.[6][7][8] The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Queqiao-2 relay satellite on 20 March 2024 to a elliptical frozen orbit around the Moon to support communications from the far side of the Moon and the Lunar south pole.[9][10][11][12]
Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
Mission type | Communication relay Radio astronomy |
---|---|
Operator | CNSA |
COSPAR ID | 2024-051A (QUEQIAO-2) |
SATCAT no. | 59274 |
Mission duration | Planned: 8-10 years 1 month, 6 days (in progress) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | CAST-2000[1] |
Manufacturer | DFH Satellite Company LTD |
Dry mass | 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb) |
Dimensions | Antenna: 4.2 metres (14 ft) in diameter[1] |
Power | 1350W[1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 20 March 2024, 00:31:28 UTC[2] |
Rocket | Long March 8[2] |
Launch site | Wenchang Space Launch Site LC-2[2] |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Selenocentric frozen orbit |
Periselene altitude | 200 km (120 mi)[3] |
Aposelene altitude | 16,000 km (9,900 mi)[3] |
Inclination | 62.4°[4] |
Period | 24 hours[3] |
Lunar orbiter | |
Orbital insertion | 24 March 2024, 17:05 UTC[5] |
Instruments | |
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Queqiao satellites |
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The name Queqiao ("Magpie Bridge") was inspired by and came from the Chinese tale The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.[9][8][13]