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General
Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 satellites have left the factory and are on their way to launch site. The two satellites will be launched together with Magpie Bridge 2 relay satellite.
The Magpie Bridge constellation project, to be completed in three decadal phases, finishing around 2050. The project will not only establish a Lunar-Earth communications and control network but will also feature a constellation of remote-sensing satellites orbiting the moon.
More information on the two Tiandu satellites that were launched alongside the Queqiao-2 (Magpie Bridge 2) relay satellite.
Both Tiandu satellites will be used to verify new space communication and navigation technologies. Tiandu-1 weighs 61kg and is equipped with a dual band (Ka/Ku?) communications device, a laser angle reflector, a router, etc. Tiandu-2 weighs 15kg and carryies a communications payload only. The two satellites will enter an elliptical orbit around the moon and carry out data transmission and data forwarding tests, as well as tests on a high-precision orbit determination system. These technologies are crucial for the future Magpie Bridge lunar constellation project, which will establish a Lunar-Earth communications and control network and a remote-sensing constellation orbiting the moon.