Chinese Deep Space Network
The Chinese Deep Space Network is a network of large antennas and communication facilities that supports the lunar and interplanetary spacecraft missions of China. It is managed by the China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC).[1][2]
The network was first needed for the lunar mission Chang'e 1,[3][4] but will be used to support future missions to the moon and Mars. Similar networks are run by the USA, Russia, European countries, Japan, and India.
Network[edit]
As of 2007, the network consisted of:
- Ground control stations in Kashgar and Qingdao (in the Shandong province).
- 18 meter antennas in Qingdao and Kashgar
- A 50-meter antenna at Miyun (~116°E), near Beijing.
- A 40-meter antenna in Yunnan (~101°E).
Planned improvements by 2012, to support Chang'e 3 and Chang'e 4, include:[5]
- Upgrades to the ground facilities at Kashgar and Qingdao, and a deep-space ground control station at Jiamusi.
- A new 35-meter antenna at the Kashgar station.
- A 64-meter antenna in Jiamusi. (~130°E)
As of 2017, China was constructing an additional ground station in South America, in the Neuquen province of Argentina (~70°W), with a 50 million-dollar investment. The facility, a part of China's Lunar Exploration Program.[6][7] It was inaugurated in October 2017.[8] The station is seen by some as a symbol of China's increased role in South America's politics and economy.[9]
Uses[edit]
The network was used to track Chang'e 2, first to L2[10] and then to asteroid Toutatis.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ http://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/124/ China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC)
- ^ http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1725382-preocupa-el-eventual-uso-militar-de-una-estacion-china-en-neuquen Preocupa el eventual uso militar de un área espacial de China en el Sur
- ^ Renjiang Xie (February 14, 2007). "Gearing up for Chang'e".
- ^ Jianguo, Yan; Ping, Jing-Song; Li, Fei (13 July 2008). Precise orbit determination of Smart-1 and Chang'E-1. 37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Bibcode:2008cosp...37.1381J.
- ^ The Ministry of Science and Technology, People's Republic of China (January 10, 2011). "CHINA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER" (PDF).
- ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-06/30/c_134368151.htm Chinese space station is "for exclusively scientific and civilian purposes": Argentine gov't
- ^ Victor Robert Lee (May 24, 2016). "China Builds Space-Monitoring Base in the Americas". Includes pictures and coordinates.
- ^ Martín Dinatale (28 January 2018). "Tras la polémica por su eventual uso militar, la estación espacial de China en Neuquén ya empezó a funcionar" (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "From a Space Station in Argentina, China Expands Its Reach in Latin America". New York Times. 28 July 2018.
- ^ "China's second moon orbiter Chang'e-2 sends data from 1.7 mln km away".
- ^ Bill Gray (25 Aug 2012). "Chang'e 2: The Full Story". Archived from the original on 2012-08-26.
