Chinese scientists are proposing a Qixiong space infrastructure to support lunar exploration, develop the national space industry, and promote international cooperation. The proposed infrastructure includes a comprehensive system that provides data transmission, positioning, navigation, and synchronization (PNT), as well as space status monitoring services for terrestrial, near-Earth, spacecraft, lunar, and deep space users.

The paper, titled “Orbit Design Method of Lunar Cosmic Constellation,” was published in June in the China Journal of Aerospace Science and Technology. The authors, including Yang Menfei, a senior researcher at the China Academy of Space Technology, outline the conceptual framework and development plans for a phased constellation to support various human activities in the qixiong space. The design focused on communications and lunar navigation capabilities, as well as deployment and maintenance costs.

The first phase involves placing satellites in elliptical frozen orbits around the Moon. The second phase will include additional ELFO satellites and spacecraft in a near-linear halo orbit (NRHO) at Earth-Moon Lagrangian points 1, 2, 4 and 5, and a spacecraft in a geostationary orbit called the Precision Space Station.

The third and final phase will add satellites to existing and new deep retrograde orbits (DROs), creating lunar orbits and expanded space constellations. The system also includes complex ground assets.

Challenges include developing high-precision modeling of orbital dynamics, common methods of operation in different parts of space, and establishing a single reference frame in space-time. It will also require advanced communications and navigation technologies, including high-frequency, high-efficiency amplifiers, large-diameter, high-gain antennas, and innovative integration of communications, PNT, and tracking functions.

Support for lunar crews and lunar base plans

The lunar space infrastructure is designed to support major national lunar exploration projects. It also aims to accelerate the development of China’s space industry and strengthen the country’s capabilities in space science and technology.

Earlier reports indicated that China was developing plans for a constellation called Queqiao (“Queen Bridge”) to support lunar crew plans and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). China plans to land its first astronauts on the moon by 2030 and begin construction of the ILRS early next decade. The China-led ILRS aims to promote lunar exploration and the exploitation of lunar resources.

The Queqiao Constellation will support the above projects, and will also contribute to China’s space economy and space industry. The authors argue that it will promote growth in various sectors such as communications, navigation, remote sensing, resource utilization, space tourism, education and culture. It will also promote international cooperation in space development and contribute to global efforts by providing shared services and participating in the development of international standards.

Cislunar value

China is not the only country interested in building qixiong infrastructure, but its potential value is not yet known. The United States is also developing lunar infrastructure, focusing on lunar space surveillance sensors, high-speed communications and navigation systems. The Oracle spacecraft is also being developed to monitor deep space, with a launch date of 2027. The European Space Agency also aims to create a lunar constellation with its Moonlight initiative.

“This kind of infrastructure around or on the Moon is very important if there is going to be a significant presence (human and robotic) on the Moon, because there is always a need for more bandwidth, tracking and navigation services,” said Associate Professor Bleddin Bowen, who specialises in space policy and the military use of space at the University of Leicester. Space News by email.

“The more people and interests there are on the Moon, the more we will be duplicating the orbital satellite infrastructure around the Moon that we have already established around the Earth.”

If the project is implemented, China could gain a strong position worldwide as interest in the moon grows, but its overall significance has yet to be determined.

“If China can sustain a long-term lunar exploration program, this will give Beijing leverage in future discussions and negotiations over lunar management, and particularly the management and decommissioning of lunar operations.

“Beyond techno-nationalist prestige and propaganda, as well as investment in STEM careers and support for parts of the space industry, lunar activities do not have as significant a material impact as the hundreds of satellites and associated ground infrastructure that China has deployed into Earth orbit over the past 30 years,” Bowen said.

Monthly deals

China has already deployed two communications orbiters, Queqiao-1 and Queqiao-2, to support missions to the far side of the moon and future exploration of the lunar south pole. Queqiao 2, which supports this year’s unprecedented Chang’e-6 far side lunar sample-return mission, will relay communications for the Chang’e-7 and Chang’e 8 landers planned for 2026 and 2028, respectively.

Small experimental communication and navigation satellites Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 were launched to follow Queqiao 2.

Yang has previously called for the development of lunar infrastructure. “This is an important opportunity for our country to take advantage of this opportunity now and lead the industrial market of the Earth-Moon space. This will have great impact and far-reaching significance,” he said at the country’s annual political session in Beijing in March 2023.

At the International Astronomical Congress in 2023, a vision was unveiled for the Queqiao constellation that supports the Moon and, ultimately, deep space travel and exploration.

International space infrastructure is expected to play a critical role in safely and reliably conducting space activities, promoting technological progress, supporting major national projects, and contributing to the international space economy. Although China’s lunar and commercial space activities now have strong central support, it is not yet known how and when its plans for the Queqiao constellation will unfold.