The Earth-Moon space satellite laser ranging distance is far away, and during the daytime, under the influence of sunlight, the reflected return signal of the on-board laser corner reflector is easily submerged in the strong background noise, which is difficult to be recognized. In the past, this test can only be carried out at night with less light interference. A few days ago, the research team of "Tendu-1" TDT test star successfully carried out the Earth-Moon space satellite laser ranging technology test under the condition of strong light interference during the daytime, which is the first time in the world that satellite laser ranging is realized on the new generation of Earth-Moon space laser corner reflector during the daytime, and it marks that our country has made a new technological breakthrough in the field of deep-space orbital precision measurements.
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as Shanghai Astronomical Observatory) has developed a new generation of Earth-Moon space laser corner reflector for "Tiandu-1", which weighs only 1.3kg and adopts the design of large aperture single corner cone to maximize the reflection capacity, which is a key part of the success of the daytime satellite laser ranging test in Earth-Moon space.
Cheng Zhi'en, senior engineer in charge of the reflector project, said that the new-generation Earth-Moon space laser angular reflector is like a super-strong reflective "mirror" to ensure that the laser signals can be efficiently returned to the ground in the original way of the laser station, which has the advantages of strong reflective ability, high precision, lightweight, etc. The success of this test is the result of the joint efforts of all parties. The success of this test is the result of the joint efforts of all parties, indicating that the comprehensive performance of China's self-developed new generation of Earth-Moon space laser angle reflector has reached the international leading level, which will strongly support China's exploration of Earth-Moon space and deep space.
Photo of the new generation of Earth-Moon space laser corner reflector developed by the Shanghai Observatory: the corner reflector body (left) and the light-shielding cylinder (right).
The Shanghai Observatory also utilized the ground-based orbit measurement data to form a high-precision orbit forecast of the "Tiandu-1" satellite, which was used to guide the laser observatory to accurately track and target the satellite, a key part of the success of this experiment. Researcher Huang Yong, head of the Shanghai Observatory's Satellite Laser Ranging and Application Group, said that high-precision laser ranging can improve the orbiting accuracy of Earth-Moon space probes and has great potential for scientific and engineering applications.
Deep Space Exploration Laboratory "Tiandu No. 1" general responsible person in charge of the overall conductivity technology test star introduction, the smooth implementation of the daytime strong light interference conditions of the Earth-Moon space satellite laser ranging test, effectively expanding the observation window of the technology, will be a strong support for the international lunar research station and other deep space exploration of the major engineering tasks demonstration and implementation.
The technology test was led and organized by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), with the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) being responsible for the development of the on-board laser angular reflector and the satellite's precision orbit prediction, and with the participation of the Shanghai Satellite Engineering Research Institute (SSERI), Yunnan Astronomical Observatory of the CAS (YAO), Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), and the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BAAC).
