China makes history by firing precision laser at the moon in daylight, achieving a groundbreaking deep space milestone
https://glassalmanac.com/china-makes-history-by-firing-precision-laser-at-the-moon-in-daylight-achieving-a-groundbreaking-deep-space-milestone/
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> In a remarkable step forward for space exploration, China has demonstrated its advanced technological prowess by executing a precision laser targeting operation on a satellite orbiting the Moon—during daylight. This unprecedented feat, carried out by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) with the Tiandu-1 satellite, opens new doors for the future of lunar navigation and space communications.
> Firing a laser at a moving object in space, especially in the **presence of solar interference, is a significant challenge** that had previously left many scientists perplexed. The successful laser bounce on the Tiandu-1 satellite, launched in March 2024 as part of China’s growing lunar relay system, signifies a leap in precision and capability for future lunar missions. The Tiandu-1 satellite is a crucial part of China’s broader Queqiao constellation, which serves as a communication and navigation network between Earth and the Moon.
> The level of precision involved in this laser targeting is nothing short of extraordinary. Experts have likened it to “**hitting a hair at 10 kilometers**,” highlighting the immense accuracy required to strike a fast-moving target in the harsh environment of cis-lunar space.
> By performing laser telemetry during the day, China has solved a critical problem in tracking and communication between Earth and the Moon. The ability to fire a laser in broad daylight effectively eliminates the challenge of solar interference. Looking ahead, this advancement will be key for the upcoming Chang’e-8 mission in 2028, which will test critical technologies for the Lunar Research Station. This international collaboration, co-developed with Russia, aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
I wish the media wouldn’t show lasers like this. They are in a wavelength different from the normal visual spectrum. And you couldn’t see the damn beam unless its ionizes particles that stray within it.
Anyone else here a Tick fan? This was my first thought reading this post. https://the-tick-animated.fandom.com/wiki/Moon
Nice work! Such targeting is critical for highly directed beams used in modern space communications.
Hasn’t NASA been firing lasers at some mirrors on the moons surface since whatever Apollo mission? Don’t remember the purpose.
Edit: Just googled it. Apollo 11, 14 and 15 left behind “retro reflectors” that scientists bounce lasers off of for lunar ranging purposes.
I guess what China is doing is accomplishing something different.
Probably get banned but anyone remember that 4chan alien lark where it said china reverse engineered some alien stuff and youll know its all true as there will be massive advances in laser tech
I could shoot a pointer laser at the moon at night or in daylight. What’s the big deal?
Shoot laser pointers at space aliens when they invade earth! Lets go!!!!!!!
China is really good at using technology invented by other countries.
Haven’t we been shooting lasers at tiny mirrors on the moon (placed by the Apollo astronauts) for 50 years?
i might sound like a fool now, but if u look around, basically the only big country right now that is doing a significant progress in future technologies, is China. EU and Russia is busy with Ukraine war, middle East getting rly hot right now making the overall situation even worse. USA is doing not sure what, but it feels like moving backward instead of forward. In the Meantime, China is pushing forward with all its power and resources. 10 more years and the Know-how China will obtain might be unreachable for the rest of the world.
According to Dr Evil you’re doing it the wrong way around!
I wish Canada was exploring and innovating like this kind of accomplishment requires. Sort of feels like we are slowly becoming irrlevant in many fields.