China has launched the world’s first three-satellite constellation on a distant path between Earth and the Moon, marking the first time any country has built a working satellite network in that region. The satellites can now share data through stable communication links, Chinese scientists announced.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences said the satellites form a constellation in a part of space that stretches up to 2 million kilometers from Earth. This zone, known as the Earth-Moon region, is more than 1,000 times bigger than the area around Earth’s orbit. Scientists say the space holds great potential for future missions, including Moon landings, human living stations, and travel to other planets.
China began planning this project in 2017. In 2022, the country approved a pilot mission to explore a special orbit known as the distant retrograde orbit, or DRO. The satellites were launched in early 2024 and reached their positions by mid-year. By August, they were working together as a group.
China placed three satellites in different orbits
According to the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, one satellite, DRO-A, remains fixed in the distant orbit. Another, DRO-B, moves through different paths in the Earth-Moon space. The third, DRO-L, is in a lower orbit and runs special tests. Together, they help researchers better understand this part of space.
China has successfully established the world's first three-satellite constellation based on the Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) in the Earth-moon region of space, laying a foundation for the exploration and utilization of space, and for future crewed deep-space exploration.
DRO… pic.twitter.com/gpn2ZHZK20
— China Science (@ChinaScience) April 16, 2025
The team used a slower travel route to reach the Moon, which saved a large amount of fuel. This low-energy method used only one fifth of the fuel compared to previous missions. It was also the first time a spacecraft entered the DRO using so much less energy. Scientists say this could make future missions cheaper and more efficient.
The satellites also made a major breakthrough by sending signals across a record distance of 1.17 million kilometers, using microwaves. This allowed the satellites to talk to each other without depending on ground stations. It helps solve a major challenge in building future networks in deep space.
New way to track orbits
Researchers also tested a new way to track orbits. Instead of using ground-based systems, one satellite tracked another. In just three hours, the satellites reached the same level of accuracy that normally takes two days from Earth. This system could make future missions faster and less costly.
Wang Wenbin, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said this approach could support Moon missions by offering real-time tracking, navigation and timing—all without constant input from Earth.
Because the satellites orbit far from both Earth and the Moon, they avoid interference. This makes them useful for sending emergency data and supporting communication with Moon-based spacecraft. Scientists say this system may guide China’s future space goals and support work on the Moon’s surface.
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