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Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Keywords

tethered dual-satellite system, lunar resources, Earth–Moon material transport, in-situ resource utilization, deep-space exploration strategy

Abstract

Lunar exploration is undergoing a paradigm shift from resource mapping to mechanism identification. Key processes, such as the modulation of volatiles by magnetic anomalies and the contribution of Earth wind to surface hydration, require strictly synchronized observations of magnetic-field gradients, particle fluxes, spectrally detected volatiles, and subsurface hydrogen within the same spatiotemporal window. However, a still-unfilled “near-lunar-surface intermediate layer” gap exists between conventional single-spacecraft orbiters and landed rovers: the capability for multi-altitude, multi-parameter, strictly synchronized process observations. A tethered dual-satellite system, consisting of a main satellite and a subsatellite connected by a 5–10 km short tether, naturally provides a dual-altitude observational baseline and, for the first time, links remote-sensing-based mapping with near-surface mechanism diagnosis into a complete chain of evidence. Its scientific outputs can be organized into three “resource accounts”—primary resources, implanted resources, and usable resources—and further extended to quantitative studies of Earth–Moon material transport. China already possesses the full set of technological elements needed to build a cross-sphere collaborative exploration system integrating satellite orbit, near space, and ground-based observations. The tethered dual-satellite system represents a key node for transferring this capability to the near-lunar-surface environment and constitutes an indispensable diagnostic link between robotic/crewed lunar exploration and the construction of a lunar research station.

First page

1489

Last Page

1499

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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