China’s Queqiao-2 Successfully Executes Near-Moon Braking Maneuver

Insider Brief:

• China’s relay satellite, Queqiao-2 has accomplished a critical near-moon braking procedure.
• Near-moon braking enables capture by the moon’s gravitational force, facilitating circumlunar flight.
• Queqiao-2 is slated to adjust its altitude and inclination within its circumlunar orbit to align with its intended elliptical orbit around the moon.

China’s lunar mission reached a significant milestone as the Queqiao-2 relay satellite accomplished a critical near-moon braking procedure, as announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

At 12:46 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Monday, after approximately 112 flight hours, Queqiao-2 initiated near-moon braking at a distance of roughly 440 kilometres from the lunar surface. Within 19 minutes, it smoothly transitioned into its circumlunar orbit.

Near-moon braking entails initiating braking as the satellite approaches the moon to reduce speed below the moon’s escape velocity. This maneuver enables capture by the moon’s gravitational force, facilitating circumlunar flight.

Launched on March 20, Queqiao-2, meaning “magpie bridge 2,” is tasked with providing Earth-Moon communication services. Additionally, it will undertake significant lunar exploration missions, including sample retrieval on the far side of the moon and exploration of the lunar south pole region.

Queqiao-2 is slated to adjust its altitude and inclination within its circumlunar orbit to align with its intended elliptical orbit around the moon. Subsequently, it will undergo communication tests with the Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-6 lunar probes as part of its planned mission objectives.

Accompanying Queqiao-2 on this journey are two communication and navigation technology test satellites, Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2. Both satellites successfully executed near-moon braking maneuvers on the same day, entering their respective circumlunar orbits. The CNSA confirmed that the separation of these satellites will proceed according to plan.

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