China’s experimental satellites -&nbsp;Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 beamed back an eerie picture of the Moon and Earth recently. The pair of two small satellites, which were launched on March 19 aboard the Long March 8 rocket, are part of China’s upcoming lunar mission.&nbsp;

The Long March 8 rocket also took the Queqia-2 lunar spacecraft to space. Queqia-2 is a communications relay satellite, which will be a major support in Chang’e 6 lunar mission.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mysterious-planet-lurking-in-our-solar-system-scientists-say-evidence-hints-so-713811">A ninth planet? Scientists are convinced that our solar system might be hosting a 'Planet X'</a>

With the Chang’e 6 mission, China will aim for the far side of the moon, where it will collect some samples from the lunar surface and bring them back to Earth. While Queqia-2 acts as a communication channel between space and Earth, the duo of Tiandu satellites will act as a pathfinder for future lunar infrastructure.&nbsp;

<h2>Chang’e 6 mission’s experimental satellites beam back eerie image of Moon and Earth</h2>

China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) stated on April 13 that Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 had carried out tests of high-reliability transmission and routing between Earth and the lunar surface.&nbsp;

One of them also transmitted an infrared image showing the heavily cratered far side of the moon, including a distant view of Earth.

See the full image below.
<img alt="Moon and Earth" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9890fc82-3e7a-45ff-8ce4-c36cf908ca05" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202024-04-23T114515.630.png" />
The Tiandu pair entered lunar orbit on April 3 and since has been flying in formation around 124 miles (200 kilometres) apart.&nbsp;

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Tiandu-1 weighs 134 pounds (61 kilogrammes) and is equipped with a Ka-band dual-frequency communicator, a laser retroreflector and a space router. Tiandu-2 weighs 33 lbs (15 kg) and carries communication and navigation devices.

DSEL said that the test satellites will further conduct lunar communication and navigation technology experiments. The data collected from these satellites will become the building blocks for the design and construction of the planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and a Queqia satellite constellation for lunar communication, navigation and remote sensing.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/from-gibberish-to-clarity-voyager-1-ends-radio-silence-thanks-to-nasa-engineers-ingenious-repair-714089">From gibberish to clarity: Voyager 1 ends 'radio silence' thanks to NASA engineers' ingenious repair</a>

Chang’e 6 is China’s robotic lunar exploration mission that is expected to launch&nbsp;next month. It will be China’s second such attempt to&nbsp;retrieve samples from the moon's surface back to Earth.&nbsp;

The mission will attempt to obtain the first-ever soil and rock samples from the lunar far side and return them to the Earth. The primary phase of the mission is expected to last about 53 days.

(With inputs from agencies)

China’s experimental satellites - Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 beamed back an eerie picture of the Moon and Earth recently. The pair of two small satellites, which were launched on March 19 aboard the Long March 8 rocket, are part of China’s upcoming lunar mission.

China’s experimental satellites - Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 beamed back an eerie picture of the Moon and Earth recently. The pair of two small satellites, which were launched on March 19 aboard the Long March 8 rocket, are part of China’s upcoming lunar mission. The Long March 8 rocket also took the Queqia-2 lunar spacecraft to space. Queqia-2 is a communications relay satellite, which will be a major support in Chang’e 6 lunar mission. Also Read | A ninth planet? Scientists are convinced that our solar system might be hosting a 'Planet X' With the Chang’e 6 mission, China will aim for the far side of the moon, where it will collect some samples from the lunar surface and bring them back to Earth. While Queqia-2 acts as a communication channel between space and Earth, the duo of Tiandu satellites will act as a pathfinder for future lunar infrastructure. Chang’e 6 mission’s experimental satellites beam back eerie image of Moon and Earth China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) stated on April 13 that Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 had carried out tests of high-reliability transmission and routing between Earth and the lunar surface. One of them also transmitted an infrared image showing the heavily cratered far side of the moon, including a distant view of Earth. See the full image below. The Tiandu pair entered lunar orbit on April 3 and since has been flying in formation around 124 miles (200 kilometres) apart. Also Read | Pink Moon to peak amid Lyrid meteor shower: Check when and how to watch Tiandu-1 weighs 134 pounds (61 kilogrammes) and is equipped with a Ka-band dual-frequency communicator, a laser retroreflector and a space router. Tiandu-2 weighs 33 lbs (15 kg) and carries communication and navigation devices. DSEL said that the test satellites will further conduct lunar communication and navigation technology experiments. The data collected from these satellites will become the building blocks for the design and construction of the planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and a Queqia satellite constellation for lunar communication, navigation and remote sensing. Also Read | From gibberish to clarity: Voyager 1 ends 'radio silence' thanks to NASA engineers' ingenious repair Chang’e 6 is China’s robotic lunar exploration mission that is expected to launch next month. It will be China’s second such attempt to retrieve samples from the moon's surface back to Earth. The mission will attempt to obtain the first-ever soil and rock samples from the lunar far side and return them to the Earth. The primary phase of the mission is expected to last about 53 days. (With inputs from agencies)

Crater-filled Moon and faint Earth in the background: Chinese satellites beam eerie image from space

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Crater-filled Moon and faint Earth in the background: Chinese satellites beam eerie image from space