Scholarlink

<p>Space very long baseline interferometry (Space VLBI) employs antennas on space-based platforms, such as satellites, to extend its baseline beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. This significantly increases the effective baseline length and dramatically enhances the angular resolution of radio astronomical observations. As a key component of the fourth phase of China’s Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), the Queqiao-2 relay satellite carries the Lunar Orbital VLBI Experiment (LOVEX) payload, which utilizes a 4.2-m reflector antenna. This initiative aims to establish a VLBI station in lunar orbit to perform joint observations with ground-based telescopes. The LOVEX payload integrates a VLBI feed assembly, an X-band cryogenic receiver, a cryocooler control unit, a frequency conversion and data acquisition backend, and a passive hydrogen maser. It has a total mass of 32.777 kg and an average power consumption of 220 W under nominal conditions. The payload supports simultaneous reception of X-band left- and right-hand circularly polarized (LCP and RCP) signals. The complete system noise temperature, incorporating contributions from the cosmic background, feed horn, cryogenic receiver, and other components, is maintained below 100 K. Furthermore, the antenna efficiency of the system exceeds 35%. Following a development period spanning more than two years, the LOVEX payload was successfully launched on 20 March 2024. It is now operating nominally in orbit, having successfully detected emissions from celestial radio sources as well as signals from onboard detectors.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Lunar Orbital VLBI Experiment: VLBI-specific payload development

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

查看全文
  • Weiye Zhong,
  • Renjie Zhu,
  • Yonghui Xie,
  • Tao Shuai,
  • Xiaojing Wu,
  • Jia Ma,
  • Jiyun Li,
  • Pengfei Chen,
  • Hui Zhang,
  • Xiaochuan Qu,
  • Yang Zhao,
  • Chao Zhang,
  • Dan Wang,
  • Zhengwei Pu,
  • Xiaoyu Hong,
  • Qinghui Liu,
  • Changbin Xue,
  • Hao Geng,
  • Xunfeng Zhao,
  • Yuesong Chen,
  • Lihua Zhang,
  • Liang Xiong,
  • Fei Gao

摘要

Space very long baseline interferometry (Space VLBI) employs antennas on space-based platforms, such as satellites, to extend its baseline beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. This significantly increases the effective baseline length and dramatically enhances the angular resolution of radio astronomical observations. As a key component of the fourth phase of China’s Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), the Queqiao-2 relay satellite carries the Lunar Orbital VLBI Experiment (LOVEX) payload, which utilizes a 4.2-m reflector antenna. This initiative aims to establish a VLBI station in lunar orbit to perform joint observations with ground-based telescopes. The LOVEX payload integrates a VLBI feed assembly, an X-band cryogenic receiver, a cryocooler control unit, a frequency conversion and data acquisition backend, and a passive hydrogen maser. It has a total mass of 32.777 kg and an average power consumption of 220 W under nominal conditions. The payload supports simultaneous reception of X-band left- and right-hand circularly polarized (LCP and RCP) signals. The complete system noise temperature, incorporating contributions from the cosmic background, feed horn, cryogenic receiver, and other components, is maintained below 100 K. Furthermore, the antenna efficiency of the system exceeds 35%. Following a development period spanning more than two years, the LOVEX payload was successfully launched on 20 March 2024. It is now operating nominally in orbit, having successfully detected emissions from celestial radio sources as well as signals from onboard detectors.