Chinese space scientists are developing the World’s largest asteroid radar system. This deep-space radar system would cover the full Earth-Moon system, including the Moon, which is 400,000 kilometers away. It would also monitor China’s spaceships during their journeys to the Moon. Such a system would greatly help China in its lunar exploration plans.
Fuyan
China’s plans to develop an asteroid radar system comprise of more than 20 large antennas will give the country a complete view of the moon and planetary bodies. The new radar system is expected to cover the Earth-Moon system, and will help the country monitor its lunar exploration missions. It will be able to image asteroids and other celestial bodies in high-definition.
China’s Fuyan facility is being built to address the needs of its country – space sensing capabilities, near-Earth defense, and cutting-edge research. It will be equipped with a variety of antennas, which resemble insect eyes. It will be a collaborative effort of different government agencies and universities. For example, China’s National Astronomy Observatories, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Tsinghua University, part of the Peking University system, will help to develop the radar.
The radar system will be able to detect asteroids in their trajectory, even those approaching Earth’s atmosphere. It will detect asteroids as small as a few miles across, and it will give scientists a detailed view of their movement in space. Fuyan’s Asteroid Radar System is the World’s Largest Now Being Developed
ShiJian-1
China has announced that it is developing an asteroid radar system to protect Earth from asteroids. The system consists of around twenty large antennae, which act like compound eyes and bounce signals off asteroids. The goal of this system is to track asteroids, detect their potential to damage the Earth, and develop technologies for asteroid deflection.
China is making comprehensive plans for space science and technology. It will integrate new-generation information technology into the space industry, and coordinate relevant activities within an overall plan. The Chinese space industry will focus more on long-term sustainability, bringing technology to bear more directly on development. It will contribute to human progress, global consensus, and quality development. The white paper will introduce some of China’s major achievements in space since 2016.
As a member of the United Nations, China has been engaged in joint research and development with other countries. It co-developed the China-Italy Electromagnetic Monitoring Experiment Satellite, and has continued to cooperate on space-based information and resources. The China-Germany Space Science Observatory has also participated in a joint space program.
Compound Eye
In the past, the Chinese government has been slow to develop such a system, but the time is now. This deep space radar will cover the entire Earth-Moon system. In fact, it is large enough to track a spaceship traveling to the Moon. Such a system would help the country’s lunar exploration program. Beijing Institute of Technology is spearheading the effort, and it is expected to have a range of 150 million kilometers. This is close to the distance between Earth and the Sun.
The Beijing Institute of Technology will build a radar array with around twenty large antennae. The antennae will act like the compound eyes of insects, bouncing signals off asteroids. This will allow the radar to track, image, and even test if asteroids will impact Earth. The Chinese government plans to use the radar to help with its space exploration efforts.
DFH-1
Chinese scientists have started constructing the world’s largest asteroid radar system. The DFH-1, or “deep space active observation facility”, will be situated in Chongqing in the south of China. It will feature the largest asteroid radar on the planet, with a range of 150 million kilometers. In September, the first two antennas will be tested.
The first stage of construction will feature four 16-meter-diameter radars, which will be used to test the feasibility of the facility. As the number of antennas increase, the asteroid probe will eventually be capable of monitoring celestial objects in the inner solar system. The system will also be capable of 3D imaging, dynamic monitoring, and active observation of celestial bodies.
The Compound Eye is expected to be used by the Tianwen-2 mission, a decade-long project to collect samples from asteroid 2016 HO3, also known as Kamo’oalewa. Kamo’oalewa may be part of the Moon, and some scientists believe that it is a small portion of the planet. The mission is set to launch in 2025 and will need the Compound Eye to determine the best landing locations.