Shanghai, April 24, 2024 – China’s ambitious solar exploration program is gaining momentum with the Xihe-2 mission targeting the Sun-Earth L5 Lagrange point. The project, spearheaded by Nanjing University and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is currently under development with a preliminary launch date set for 2028. This groundbreaking mission aims to deploy the first artificial satellite at the L5 point, marking a significant leap forward in China’s solar observation capabilities and ushering in an era of three-dimensional solar monitoring.
The announcement was made during the 2025 China Space Conference’s Academic Symposium on Space Science and Experiment, held in Shanghai on April 23rd, coinciding with the 10th China Space Day. The conference, themed Exploring the Vast Universe and Developing Space Resources, featured a presentation by Professor Fang Cheng of Nanjing University, titled The Status and Prospects of Solar Space Exploration in China.
The Sun-Earth L5 Lagrange point, located approximately 150 million kilometers from Earth, offers a unique vantage point for solar observation. At this location, a satellite maintains a relatively stable position with respect to both the Earth and the Sun. Crucially, the L5 point remains largely unexplored, presenting a prime opportunity for scientific discovery.
Why L5 Matters:
- Unprecedented Perspective: The L5 point provides a novel perspective on solar activity, allowing for the three-dimensional reconstruction of solar phenomena when combined with near-Earth observations.
- Understanding Solar Eruptions: This three-dimensional view is crucial for unraveling the physical mechanisms behind solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), powerful events that can disrupt space weather and impact Earth-based technologies.
- Filling a Critical Gap: Currently, no other nation has placed a dedicated solar observatory at the L5 point, making Xihe-2 a pioneering mission with the potential for groundbreaking discoveries.
Building on Xihe-1’s Success:
The Xihe-2 mission builds upon the success of its predecessor, Xihe-1 (also known as the Chinese Hα Solar Explorer, CHASE), launched in October 2021. Xihe-1, China’s first dedicated solar exploration satellite, carries a solar Hα spectral imager, providing high-resolution observations of the Sun’s chromosphere. The data from Xihe-1 is already contributing to a better understanding of solar dynamics and space weather.
Looking Ahead:
The Xihe-2 mission represents a significant investment in solar physics and space weather research. By placing a dedicated observatory at the L5 point, China is poised to gain a deeper understanding of the Sun’s influence on our planet and contribute to the development of more accurate space weather forecasting models. The 2028 launch of Xihe-2 will mark a pivotal moment in international solar research, solidifying China’s position as a leading player in space exploration.
References:
- IT之家. (2024, April 23). “羲和二号”日地 L5 太阳探测工程正稳步推进，初步计划于 2028 年发射 [The Xihe-2 Sun-Earth L5 Solar Exploration Project is steadily advancing, with a preliminary launch planned for 2028]. Retrieved from [Insert IT之家 article URL here – since I don’t have live web access, I can’t provide the exact URL. You should insert the URL of the original IT之家 article].
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