China has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by constructing the world’s first Earth-Moon space three-satellite constellation, marking a new chapter in deep-space exploration. This accomplishment, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Class-A Strategic Priority Program “Exploration and Research of Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) in Earth-Moon Space,” has yielded multiple pioneering scientific and technological breakthroughs, laying a solid foundation for future utilization of Earth-Moon space and cutting-edge space science research.
Background and Significance
The Earth-Moon space, extending up to 2 million kilometers from Earth, represents a vastly expanded three-dimensional domain compared to traditional Earth orbits. Its development is crucial for lunar resource exploitation, sustained human presence beyond Earth, and sustainable solar system exploration. CAS initiated preliminary research and key technology development in 2017, culminating in the 2022 launch of a dedicated program to deploy three satellites into a large-scale constellation in DRO—a unique orbital regime with strategic advantages.
Mission Overview
DRO Characteristics: The selected DRO spans 310,000–450,000 km from Earth and
70,000–100,000 km from the Moon, serving as a low-energy “transport hub” connecting Earth, the Moon, and deep space.
Satellite Deployment:
DRO-L: Launched in February 2024, entered a Sun-synchronous orbit.
DRO-A & B: Launched in March 2024, achieved DRO insertion by July 15, 2024, and completed constellation formation in August 2024.
Current Status:
DRO-A remains stationed in DRO near the Moon.
DRO-B has transitioned to a resonant orbit for extended mission objectives.
Key Innovations and Achievements
Low-Energy Orbital Insertion
A novel “time-for-mass” design philosophy reduced fuel consumption to 20% of conventional methods, enabling cost-effective Earth-Moon transfers and DRO insertion—a world-first achievement.
Million-Kilometer Inter-Satellite Link
Demonstrated 1.17-million-kilometer K-band microwave inter-satellite communication, overcoming critical bottlenecks in large-scale constellation deployment.
Space Science Experiments
Conducted gamma-ray burst observations and tested advanced technologies like space-based atomic clocks.
Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking
Pioneered a space-based orbit determination system, achieving traditional 2-day ground-tracking precision with just 3 hours of inter-satellite data—slashing operational costs and enhancing efficiency.
Future Implications
According to Dr. Wang Wenbin, a researcher at the CAS Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, this mission validates satellite-centric tracking (replacing ground stations with orbiting satellites), offering a scalable solution for navigation, timing, and orbit determination in Earth-Moon space. This breakthrough paves the way for large-scale commercial activities and deep-space exploration missions.
This milestone not only underscores China’s leadership in space innovation but also opens new frontiers for humanity’s sustainable presence beyond Earth.
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Post time: May-30-2025