Relay Communication

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

Information transfer between two nodes that cannot communicate directly, achieved by relaying signals through an intermediary satellite. In lunar farside missions, the Moon blocks direct communication between farside spacecraft and Earth, requiring a relay satellite stationed near the Earth-Moon L2 point to forward telecommands uplink and science data downlink for the lander and rover. The Chang'e-4 relay satellite uses a regenerative transponder with S-band unified carrier for Earth link, X-band unified carrier for forward lunar link, and S-band BPSK suppressed carrier for return lunar link.

Application Value

In deep space communication systems, this technology is used to achieve information transmission between deep space probes and the ground, and is a key factor in mission success or failure.

  • Queqiao-1 Relay Satellite

References

  • Wu Weiren 等 - 2017 - Chang'e-4 Lunar Far Side Soft Landing Mission Design
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Contributors: ouyangjiahong, Ou Yang Jiahong