my country's first deep-space antenna array system is officially launched
The reporter learned from the Xi’an Satellite Measurement and Control Center that after nearly two years of construction, my country’s first deep-space antenna array system has been officially completed and completed various debugging and testing tasks at the Kashgar Deep Space Station of the Xi’an Satellite Measurement and Control Center. It was officially put into use recently. Directly invest in the "Tianwen 1" and "Chang'e 4" missions.
According to reports, as the Chinese are moving farther and farther into deep space, a single large-aperture measurement and control antenna can no longer meet the needs of deep space measurement and control tasks for measurement and control and data transmission.
In order to improve the ability of the ground system to receive downlink data from deep space probes, the center built three 35-meter-aperture antennas at the Kashgar Deep Space Station, which combined with the original 35-meter antenna of the station to form a 4×35-meter deep-space antenna The array system achieves the data receiving capability of an equivalent 66-meter antenna, and the detection range and receiving sensitivity will be greatly improved compared with existing equipment, providing strong measurement and control support for my country to perform various deep space exploration tasks.
Li Sihu, head of the Kashgar Observation and Control Station of the Xi'an Satellite Observation and Control Center, told reporters that the system can not only realize high-precision tracking and control of a single deep-space probe, but each antenna can also work independently to achieve simultaneous tracking of multiple deep-space targets.
In addition, the system can be combined with other astronomical observatories at home and abroad to form a remote array to carry out joint radio astronomy observation activities.
During the interview, the reporter learned that in order to ensure that the system can be put into the "Tianwen No. 1" measurement and control mission as soon as possible, since the beginning of this year, the station has actively overcome the adverse effects of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and strives to strengthen mission organization, command and quality Management, strengthen technical risk investigation and quality hazard management and control, to ensure that the deep space antenna array system can be successfully delivered and put into use on schedule.
It is understood that as an important part of China's deep space measurement and control network, the Kashgar deep space station subordinate to the Xi'an Satellite Measurement and Control Center has successfully completed the "Chang'e-3", "Chang'e-5 re-entry and return flight test", and "Queqiao Relay Satellite" , "Chang'e-4" and other deep space measurement and control missions.
During the whole mission phase of "Tianwen No. 1", the Kashgar Deep Space Station will relay hand in hand with Jiamusi and Argentina Deep Space Station, which belong to the center, to continuously receive and record detector telemetry and data transmission data, and implement orbit measurement and uplink remote control. The collection, recording and transmission of interferometric raw data and other tasks escorted the "Tianwen No. 1" fire detection journey.
It is expected that before the end of this year, my country will also implement the "Chang'e 5" lunar surface sampling and return mission.
At present, each deep space station has successfully completed the satellite-to-ground interface verification and satellite-to-ground docking, and carried out equipment maintenance, daily equipment index testing, and task-specific training during the gap between Tianwen 1 and Chang'e 4 missions. Be well prepared for the task.
Yu Jianbin Lu Binghong