Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science"

Deirdre Norris
6 years ago
Views:

1 /2016/36(5) Chin. J. Space Sci. "ψ!##χ WU Ji, FAN Quanlin, CAO Song. Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science. Chin. J. Space Sci., 2016, 36(5): DOI: /cjss Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science WU Ji FAN Quanlin CAO Song (National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing ) Abstract The most important all-round progress in China s Space Science in recent years is the official go-ahead of Strategic Priority Program (SPP) on Space Science in 2011, which marks China s space science has entered a new stage. SPP on Space Science includes 4 satellites (DAMPE, SJ-10, QUESS and HXMT), the Intensive Study of Future Space Science Missions, and the Advanced Research of Space Science Missions and Payloads. It is expected that the innovative breakthroughs will be achieved, and the great leaps of related high-technology will be driven through both independent space science missions and international cooperation. The implementation of the SPP on Space Science will enable the rapid development of China s space science endeavor, and contribute to the progress of human civilization. Key words SPP on space science, Satellite, Science objective Classified index V4 Since the launch of Dongfanghong-1, China s first satellite, a relatively comprehensive satellite system for various applications have been established in China, and China has gradually developed into one of the world s space powers. With respect to space science development, we have developed a series of space science missions over the past 50 years, i.e. sounding rockets, Shijian series scientific experiment satellites, manned spaceflight, Double Star Program, lunar exploration program, etc. Substantial progress has been achieved in space science study, exploration technology, as well as experiment technology. Nevertheless, the most important all-round progress in China s Space Science in recent years is the official go-ahead of Strategic Priority Program (SPP) on Space Science in 2011, which marks China s space science has entered a new stage. Through both independent space science missions and international cooperation, it is expected that the innovative breakthroughs will be achieved, and great leaps of related high-technology will be driven by the strategic role of space science in national development. SPP on Space Science includes 4 satellites Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE), Shijian-10 (SJ-10), Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) and Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), the Intensive Study of Future Space Science Missions, and the Advanced Research of Space Science Missions and Payloads (Figure 1) [1 2]. 1 DAMPE The main scientific goals of DAMPE (Figure 2), al- Received July 22, wuji@nssc.ac.cn

energy resolution ropean Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and in wide energy range, and make a breakthrough in October 2012, October 2014 and March 2015 (Fig- in the ﬁeld of dark matter

The satellite was lifted oﬀ on 17 December, and heavy nuclei beyond 1 TeV, and answer the ques- 2015 (Figure 4) and oﬃcially delivered to the scienti- tion about the origin of cosmic rays; and to

2 WU Ji et al.: Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science 601 so called Wukong, are to detect high energy electron beam calibration experiments were conducted in Eu- and gamma-ray spectra with high energy resolution ropean Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and in wide energy range, and make a breakthrough in October 2012, October 2014 and March 2015 (Fig- in the ﬁeld of dark matter search; to detect electrons ure 3). The satellite was lifted oﬀ on 17 December, and heavy nuclei beyond 1 TeV, and answer the ques (Figure 4) and oﬃcially delivered to the scienti- tion about the origin of cosmic rays; and to carry out ﬁc user after three months in-orbit tests. [3] high energy gamma-ray survey. DAMPE operates at sun-synchronous orbit with DAMPE mission was formally approved in De- an altitude of 500 km and an inclination of , cember 2011, with Preliminary Design Review (PDR) with a 3-year lifetime. Its total mass is less than completed in April 2013 and Critical Design Review 1900 kg. (CDR) in September All ﬂight models of the As to the output, we have received 2833 tracks satellite system were completed in May Three of data up to June 20, 2016, with electric charge equi- Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Structure of SPP on space science Fig. 2 Artist s view of DAMPE satellite in orbit Development of DAMPE: flight model of the satellite (a), BGO calorimeter (b), Silicon-Tungsten tracker (c) and beam calibration experiment in CERN (d)

Chin. J. Space Sci. 602 2016, 36(5) valent to AMS, i.e. the resolution of O is 0.185, and entry capsule landed in Inner Mongolia on 18 April that of Fe is 0.389.

Results were achieved in orbit for the with FERMI s, proving its ability to identify direction ﬁrst time in the following aspects in kinetic theory of of measured particle.

The major scientiﬁc objectives of SJ-10 (Figure 5) are to get innovative achievements in the kinetic properties of matter and the rule of life activities by carrying 3 QUESS out various scientiﬁc

3 Chin. J. Space Sci , 36(5) valent to AMS, i.e. the resolution of O is 0.185, and entry capsule landed in Inner Mongolia on 18 April that of Fe is Its gamma-ray sky map ﬁts well 2016 (Figure 7). Results were achieved in orbit for the with FERMI s, proving its ability to identify direction ﬁrst time in the following aspects in kinetic theory of of measured particle. granular ﬂow: formation of cluster, granule cooling behavior, and double bin separation Maxwell s demon 2 SJ-10 phenomenon. The mammal embryos were developed in space for the ﬁrst time. The major scientiﬁc objectives of SJ-10 (Figure 5) are to get innovative achievements in the kinetic properties of matter and the rule of life activities by carrying 3 QUESS out various scientiﬁc experiments in the space envi- The scientiﬁc objectives of QUESS (Figure 8) are to ronment. carry out satellite-ground experiments of high-speed SJ-10 mission was formally approved in Decem- quantum key distribution, and, based on it, do fur- ber The satellite PDR was completed in Sep- ther experiments of the long-distance quantum key tember 2013, the satellite CDR completed and en- network, in order to make breakthroughs in the rea- tered ﬂight model phase in December 2014 (Figure 6). lization of space-based practical quantum communi- SJ-10 operates at a circular orbit with an alti- cations; carry out experiments on quantum entangle- tude of 252 kilometers and orbit inclination 43. The ment distribution as well as quantum teleportation mass of SJ-10 satellite is 3363 kg, and the orbiting at the space scale, and fundamental tests of quantum capsule s lifetime is 15 days[4]. mechanics at space scale[5]. SJ-10 was launched on 6 April 2016, and the re- Fig. 4 Launch of DAMPE satellite Fig. 6 Fig. 5 Artist s view of SJ-10 satellite SJ-10 flight model system level tests (a) and SJ-10 satellite under development (b)

WU Ji et al.: Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science Fig. 7 Fig.

and CDR in December 2014. The spacecraft and payloads entered ﬂight model phase in December 2014.

QUESS was launched in 16 August 2016 (Figure 10), and will operate in the Sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of 600 km and an inclination of 97.79, with a 2-year lifetime. Its mass is 631 kg. Fig.

4 WU Ji et al.: Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science Fig. 7 Fig Launch of SJ-10 satellite (a) and the landing of SJ-10 re-entry capsule (b) Artist s view of QUESS satellite QUESS was formally approved in December 2011, with PDR completed in November 2012 and CDR in December The spacecraft and payloads entered ﬂight model phase in December Besides, the construction of two optical ground stations in Xinjiang and Qinghai provinces were respectively completed in September 2015 (Figure 9). QUESS was launched in 16 August 2016 (Figure 10), and will operate in the Sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of 600 km and an inclination of 97.79, with a 2-year lifetime. Its mass is 631 kg. Fig. 9 Qualification models of QUESS payloads (a) and the optical telescope (b) 4 HXMT der to constrain the geometry of the various compo- The scientiﬁc objectives of HXMT (Figure 11) are binaries with broad band spectral and timing capa- to perform repeated scanning surveys of the galactic bilities, in order to understand the physics under the plane, in order to monitor galactic variable sources extreme physical conditions near compact objects[1,6]. and to detect new galactic transient sources; make HXMT was formally approved in March 2011, large-area sky observations, in order to study the cos- with PDR completed in June 2012 and CDR in De- mic variance of the cosmic X-ray background; obtain cember All the space qualiﬁcation models and the broad band X-ray spectra of bright AGNs, in or- their environment tests were completed in late nents in the AGN uniﬁed model; and observe X-ray

604 Chin. J. Space Sci. "ψ!##χ 2016, 36(5) HXMT is now in flight model phase. The development of HXMT payloads is shown in Figure 12. The total mass of HXMT is about 2700 kg (Figure 11).

10 Launch of QUESS satellite Fig. 11 Artist s view of HXMT in orbit Fig.

their payload definitions, and related key technologies, preparing for the implementation of the missions during the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan period (2016 2020).

5 604 Chin. J. Space Sci. "ψ!##χ 2016, 36(5) HXMT is now in flight model phase. The development of HXMT payloads is shown in Figure 12. The total mass of HXMT is about 2700 kg (Figure 11). It will be launched in late 2016 into an orbit with an inclination of 43 and height 550 km. Its operating lifetime is 4 years. 5 Intensive Study of Future Space Science Missions Fig. 10 Launch of QUESS satellite Fig. 11 Artist s view of HXMT in orbit Fig. 12 Development of HXMT payloads The Intensive Study of Future Space Science Missions aims to carry out intensive studies on the selected future science missions including their scientific objectives, their payload definitions, and related key technologies, preparing for the implementation of the missions during the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan period ( ). The missions include Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere (MIT) Coupling Constellation Mission, Solar Polar Orbit Telescope (SPORT), X-ray Timing and Polarization mission (XTP), Space millimeter VLBI Array (S-VLBI), Search for Terrestrial Exo-Planets (STEP), Einstein Probe (EP), Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) and Water Cycle Observation Satellite (WCOM). The final reviews of above-mentioned 8 missions intensive study phase have been completed in the first half of Among the 8 missions, EP, WCOM, MIT and ASO-S (Figure 13) are expected to be the first ones to enter the satellite development phase. EP mainly focuses on frontier questions in time-domain astronomy. It explores the electromagnetic counterparts of blackholes and the sources of gravitational wave bursts in order to discover the processes and laws in extreme physical conditions of intense gravitation. WCOM focuses on water cycle s changes under the background of global changes, and on mechanisms governing water cycle s response and feedback to gloal changes. Fig. 13 Illustration of EP, WCOM, MIT and ASO-S satellites (from left to right)

6 WU Ji et al.: Progress of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science 605 MIT is targeting the coupling processes of the Earth s magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system. The mission s science objectives focus on the acceleration mechanism and the origin of upflow ions and other related scientific questions. ASO-S mainly focuses on frontier studies on solar magnetic fields and solar eruptions, in order to unveil the interrelationship between solar flare, coronal mass ejections, and the solar magnetic fields and their formation rules [1,6]. SMILE is an ESA-CAS joint scientific space mission, which will determine when and where transient and steady magnetopause reconnection dominates; define the substorm cycle, including timing and flux transfer amplitudes; define the development of CMEdriven storms, including whether they are sequences of substorms. It will operate at 5000 km 19 R e orbit, with a mass not heavier than 300 kg and a 3-year lifetime. It is scheduled for launch in 2021 [7]. 6 Advanced Research of Space Science Missions and Payloads The Advanced Research of Space Science Missions and Payloads is targeted for the advanced research on key technologies for future space science satellites by planning a cluster of research subjects, including innovative concepts of space science missions, key technologies of payloads, ground calibrations as well as short-time flight demonstrations [1,6]. The project includes nearly 100 research subjects in total, laying a solid foundation for China s future space science missions. Space science is honored as a jewel in the crown of space exploration. It is not only an important frontier of natural science, but also playing a significant role in driving space technology. At present, good opportunities arise for China s space science [8]. The dark matter explorer mission Wukong, the first Chinese microgravity and life sciences mission SJ-10, and the first quantum satellite QUESS have been launched, and the scientific data has been received and analyzed successfully so far, which shows that the mission is very promising in new discoveries. The implementation of the SPP on Space Science will enable the rapid development of China s space science endeavor, advance China s economic and social interests and make contribution to the progress of human civilization. References [1] WU J, SUN L L. Strategic Priority Program on Space Science [J]. Chin. J. Space Sci., 2014, 34(5): [2] Team of Strategic Priority Program on Space Science. Strategic Program on Space Science: turning a new page of Chinese space endeavor [J]. Bull. Chin. Acad. Sci., 2014, 29(6): (fiξωμßff±ωμρfi ΩΠffi ν Λ. ΦffifiΞffl οfl»flff [J]. fiξωμßßψ, 2014, 29(6): ) [3] CHANG J, ADAMS J H, AHN H S, et al. An excess of cosmic ray electrons at energies of GeV [J]. Nature, 2008, 456: [4] HU W R, ZHAO J F, LONG M, et al. Space program SJ-10 of microgravity research [J]. Microgravity Sci. Technol., 2014, 26: [5] YIN J, REN J G, LU H, et al. Quantum teleportation and entanglement distribution over 100-kilometer free-space channels [J]. Nature, 2012, 11332: [6] LU Y L, AN J J, GONG H H. Science in the Chinese academy of sciences a sponsored supplement to science [J]. Science, 2012: 1-49 [7] WU J. Calling Taikong: a Study Report on the Future Space Science Program in China [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2016 [8] BIEVER C, PEARSON H, HAYDEN E C, et al. Science stars of China [J]. Nature, 2016, 534:

Strategic Priority Program on Space Science

SPACE SCIENCE ACTIVITIES IN CHINA Strategic Priority Program on Space Science AUTHORS WU Ji SUN Lilin Center for Space Science and Applied Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 ABSTRACT