On March 20, at 08:31 Beijing time, the Long March 8 Y-3 carrier rocket carrying China's Queqiao-2 relay satellite for the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site.
Queqiao-2 is a relay communication satellite for the lunar exploration project. Its primary purpose is to transmit communications between lunar spacecraft and Earth. Its first mission will be to support the Chang'e 6 mission.
Due to Chang'e 6's landing site being on the Moon's far side, shielded by the Moon, it cannot communicate directly with Earth and requires Queqiao-2 to relay.
Once the Chang'e 6 mission is complete, Queqiao-2 will adjust its orbit to support future lunar exploration missions, including Chang'e 7 and 8.
Additionally, Queqiao-2 will take over from Queqiao to provide relay communication services for Chang'e 4 and Yutu-2, which are exploring the Moon's far side.
