On April 23, a scientific research team consisting of the Space Application Engineering and Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Yunnan Astronomical Observatory (YAO), and Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SAO), using the laser ranging system of the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory (YAO)'s 1.2-meter telescope, successfully detected the laser echo signals of China's Distant Retrograde Orbiting (DRO-A) satellite's single-angle cone reflector, and measured the distance between the star and the earth to be about 350 This is the first time that China has realized the Earth-Moon distance scale. This is the first time for China to realize satellite laser ranging on the scale of Earth-Moon distance, marking an important breakthrough in the field of deep space satellite laser ranging technology in China.
The Earth-Moon Space Satellite Laser Ranging Test is a new technology test implemented by the Class A Pilot Special Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for Earth-Moon Space Long-Range Retrograde Orbit Exploration Research, with Yunnan Observatory responsible for the development of the Earth-Moon Space Satellite Laser Ranging System, and the Shanghai Observatory responsible for the development of the star-carried single-angle cone reflector. The research team adopted near-infrared laser ranging technology, optimized optical structure and system efficiency, ranging control technology, telescope pointing accuracy and very weak signal recognition processing technology and other key technologies, and finally successfully captured the laser echo photons reflected by the single cone reflector of the DRO-A satellite.
"This is the first time that China realizes high-precision laser ranging for Earth-Moon space satellites, which provides key technical support for the orbit determination and navigation of future deep space exploration missions." Li Yujiang, a researcher at Yunnan Observatory, said that the ranging not only verified the maturity of China's deep space laser ranging technology, but also provided an important means for future deep space exploration missions, while also proving that the technology has the ability to range space targets such as satellites, space debris, and lunar reflectors.
It is reported that the research team will also organize more stations to participate in observation experiments, continue to improve the ranging performance of the ground system, optimize the design of the single-angle cone reflector, and develop new technologies for space-based satellite laser ranging and time-difference measurements, so as to further consolidate and enhance China's technological advantages in the field of Earth-moon space exploration.
