Application of Deep Space VLBI System in Queqiao Mission

Abstract

In Queqiao mission, the first stage of Chang'e-4 mission，Queqiao mission，Jiamusi and Kashi deep space stations were used to conduct VLBI（Very Long Baseline Inteferometry） observation to the relay satellite. Real-time and post-time high-precision angular measurement results were obtained，which effectively supported the mission implementation. In the mission，the two deep space stations need to complete the TT&C tasks at the same time，so they cannot alternate the radio source and spacecraft observation to calibrate the system error. Based on this system，a long time interval calibration method was adopted to observe the radio source before and after the spacecraft observation. Multiple interferometric measurements were carried out in the lunar transfer section，the Lunar to L2 transfer section and the Halo orbital formation section. The results show that the observation accuracy of the deep space network is about 3ns.

Keywords

VLBI / Queqiao / assessment of orbit determination