China’s ambitious plan for Earth to Moon network infrastructure

Scientists in China have outlined an innovative plan to create a comprehensive network Earth to Moon network infrastructure. The project aims to ease space travel and exploration. According to researchers from the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, the infrastructure will consist of three lunar ground stations and 30 satellites. The primary goal is to give global users better monitoring services, navigation, and real-time communication capabilities.

The network is described as a “superhighway,” which will enable seamless communication for 20 or more space travellers, also allowing them to transmit audio, images, or video back to Earth. In addition, this network will provide precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services which are crucial for spacecraft travelling between Earth and the moon and for conducting operations on the lunar surface.

One of the major functions of this network will be to monitor and track moving targets within the cislunar space, which is the region between Earth and the moon. Despite their small size, as little as one metre, these targets will be tracked accurately. The researchers have mentioned their detailed findings and plans in the June issue of the journal *Chinese Space Science and Technology*.

Yang Mengfei, the chief designer of China’s Chang’e-5 mission, emphasised the significance of this development. “Cislunar space has become a new frontier for human activities,” he stated. The team anticipates rapid expansion in space activities within this region over the next decade, giving rise to new competitions.

The researchers highlighted the urgency for China for a top-level roadmap for developing cislunar space infrastructure. They mentioned the increasing competition for resources such as orbital slots and radio frequencies, saying that this competition will intensify in the future. “There’s an urgent need for China to establish a top-level road map to develop cislunar space infrastructure and gain a competitive edge in the emerging cislunar economy,” they explained.

Cislunar space includes the orbits of satellites around Earth and extends to the space where the moon’s orbit lies. Given China’s growing prominence in deep space and lunar exploration, the researchers stressed the importance of strategic planning to avoid repetitive construction and optimise resource allocation for future missions. This planning involves not only exploration missions to the outer solar system but also the construction of an international lunar research station and crewed lunar landings.

Other global players such as the US, Europe, and Japan have plans for similar infrastructure but none have been fully implemented yet. This gives China an opportunity to secure a share in the cislunar space industry. “While plans exist in the US, Europe and Japan, none have been implemented yet. China has a unique opportunity to secure a substantial share in the emerging cislunar space industry,” the researchers said.

By creating this communication and navigation network, China aims to support not only its missions but also position itself as a leader in the global space industry. This could set the stage for advancements in space travel and exploration, leading to transformations in how humanity interacts with and explores the final frontier.

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