Chinese scientists propose information superhighway between Earth and the moon

A proposed network of 30 satellites and three lunar ground stations could provide real-time monitoring services between Earth and the moon

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Chinese scientists are working on a proposed communication network to make travel between Earth and the moon easier. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 10:00am, 20 Jul 2024Updated: 2:19pm, 20 Jul 2024

Chinese scientists have unveiled a road map to build infrastructure between Earth and the moon to meet national strategic needs and make space travel easier and safer for all.

The full network of 30 satellites and three lunar ground stations would provide real-time communication, navigation and monitoring services to global users, according to researchers from the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering.

The goal is to enable 20 or more travellers to simultaneously communicate with Earth via images, audio or video. It would also provide relatively accurate positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) during Earth-moon flights and lunar surface operations.

In addition, it would be able to monitor and track moving targets as small as one metre (3.28 feet) in the region between the Earth and the moon, known as cislunar space, the researchers wrote in the journal Chinese Space Science and Technology in June.

“Cislunar space has become a new frontier for human activities,” wrote the team led by Yang Mengfei, chief designer of China’s Chang’e-5 mission.

“Space activities in this region are set to expand rapidly over the next decade, driving a new round of global competition.