Chinanews, Xi'an, Dec. 14 - Reporters learned from the Xi’an Satellite Observation and Control Center on Wednesday that the exact orbit calculation technology for moon-exploration spacecraft and the comprehensive technologies for tracking the USB-VLBI moon exploration orbit and its related experimental demonstration have recently passed experts’ appraisal. The key technologies will enable China to extend its aerospace orbit observation and control from earth’s space to the moon.

 

Locating and controlling the satellite orbit is always considered as a key technology in aerospace observation and control. It is also an important criterion to judge a country’s aerospace observation and control capability. In recent years, as aerospace technologies have made rapid progress in the world, many countries have increased the number of satellites they send to the space. Satellite models have also increase rapidly. As satellite movement is beginning to change from single satellite to satellite group, the orbits along which these satellites move are also beginning to progress from near-earth orbit and geosynchronous orbit around the earth to deep-space orbits such as the moon and other planets.

 

The development trend is placing a higher and higher requirement for the orbit calculation and control technology. The Xi’an Satellite Observation and Control Center has successfully designed the orbit observation methods and related softwares for locating the tracks around the moon. With this technology, scientists can pinpoint and control the location of the orbits in deep space. The accuracy of the orbit location calculated with this technology has reached international advanced level.