Queqiao

retired

鹊桥

Science ExplorationcislunarCOSPAR 2018-045ALaunched 5/20/2018

Admin Edit

Mission & Launch

Launch Mission: Queqiao Mission
Launch Vehicle: Long March 4C
Launch Date: 5/20/2018
Last Contact: 3/22/2024

Orbit & Mass

Orbit Class: cislunar
Altitude: 191,751.5 km
Inclination: 27.5 deg
Dry Mass: 325 kg
Total Mass: 425 kg

Payload Classification

Organizations

Operator: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC)
Manufacturer: China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)

Registry

COSPAR ID: 2018-045A
UN Registration: ST/SG/SER.E/856

Mentions

140

All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.

China will launch the Queqiao-2 communications relay satellite to support upcoming moon missions in late 2024-03-19.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Mar 18, 2024China rolls out rocket for Queqiao-2 lunar satellite launch

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Queqiao-2, also known as Magpie Bridge-2, is a more capable follow-up to the original Queqiao relay satellite launched in 2018.

The Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024 to support the Chang’e-6 lunar far side sample return mission.

PlanValue 4.0Feb 29, 2024China launches first high orbit internet satellite

Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite and Chang’e-6 are scheduled to launch in the first half of 2024.

PlanValue 4.0Feb 26, 2024China’s 2024 space plans include 100 launches and moon sample return mission

The Chang’e-6 mission is expected to launch in 2024-05-01 following the launch of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite on a Long March 8.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Feb 23, 2024China launches classified military satellite towards geostationary belt

Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 are scheduled to launch along with Queqiao-2, a lunar communications relay satellite.

PlanValue 4.0Feb 7, 2024China to launch lunar navigation and communications test satellites

Queqiao-2 will operate in frozen, elliptical orbits to support the Chang’e-4, Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7, and Chang’e-8 missions.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.5Feb 7, 2024China to launch lunar navigation and communications test satellites

DRO-L was launched in preparation for upcoming experimental small lunar navigation satellites Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 and the Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Feb 4, 2024China launches 20 satellites on separate inland and sea rocket launches

Queqiao-2 will change to a similar 12-hour-period orbit to support Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 30, 2024China’s Chang’e-7 moon mission to target Shackleton crater

Queqiao-2 will initially support the Chang’e-6 lunar far side sample return mission and will assist continued operations of the Chang’e-4 lunar far side lander and rover mission.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 30, 2024China’s Chang’e-7 moon mission to target Shackleton crater

Queqiao-2 will carry three payloads that contribute to Chang’e-7 science objectives and will operate initially in a 24-hour-period elliptical frozen orbit to support Chang’e-6.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Jan 30, 2024China’s Chang’e-7 moon mission to target Shackleton crater

Queqiao-2 is set to launch on a Long March 8 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport in early 2024.

PlanValue 4.0Jan 30, 2024China’s Chang’e-7 moon mission to target Shackleton crater

Queqiao-2 could launch as soon as February 2024.

PlanValue 3.0Jan 30, 2024China’s Chang’e-7 moon mission to target Shackleton crater

Queqiao-2 is expected to launch from Wenchang on a Long March 8 rocket in the coming months.

PlanValue 4.0Jan 10, 2024China’s Chang’e-6 probe arrives at spaceport for first-ever lunar far side sample mission

Chang'e-4 and its supporting first Queqiao satellite were reported operational in early 2024.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Jan 10, 2024China’s Chang’e-6 probe arrives at spaceport for first-ever lunar far side sample mission

Chang'e-6 will require the support of a relay satellite known as Queqiao-2 to provide communications with the lunar far side.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 10, 2024China’s Chang’e-6 probe arrives at spaceport for first-ever lunar far side sample mission

Queqiao-2 is planned to operate in a 24-hour-period, elliptical frozen orbit that places it beyond the moon with line of sight to both Earth ground stations and Apollo crater on the lunar far side.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 10, 2024China’s Chang’e-6 probe arrives at spaceport for first-ever lunar far side sample mission

The Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite mission is a prerequisite for China to launch the Chang’e-6 lunar far side sample return mission.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Jan 5, 2024China completes new commercial launch pad to boost access to space

Queqiao-2 is a more capable follow-up to Queqiao, the relay satellite launched in 2018 to facilitate the Chang’e-4 mission.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.2Oct 17, 2023China to launch Queqiao-2 moon relay satellite in early 2024

Queqiao-2 is set to launch on a Long March 8 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport in early 2024.

PlanValue 4.0Oct 17, 2023China to launch Queqiao-2 moon relay satellite in early 2024