Photo: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology

China space has not ceased its advancement during the Chinese New Year holidays, as the Yuanwang-22 spacecraft tracking vessel is expected to reach a port in Wenchang, South China's Hainan Province, on Thursday, in the run-up for the coming launching mission for Queqiao-2 relay satellite, a key component for the country's Phase-4 lunar probe missions. 

The Long March-8 Y3 rocket, the launch vehicle commissioned for the Queqiao-2 relay satellite launch mission, has also been transferred to the transport vessel and set sail for Wenchang on Wednesday, the Global Times has learned from the rocket developer China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. 

"The mission marks the first use of China's satellite maritime monitoring and control fleet, the Yuanwang series transport and control ships, by the Long March-8 rocket, as well as the rocket's first execution of the Earth-Moon transfer orbit mission. With a tight launch window, every moment is crucial to ensuring the successful completion of the mission," said Zhang Junning, Deputy Director of the Long March-8 rocket project office.

The Long March-8 Y3 rocket will undergo general assembly and testing work at the Wenchang Space Launch Site following the transport. 

China's Queqiao-2, a relay satellite for communications between the far side of the moon and Earth, is scheduled for launch in the first half of this year, according to the China National Space Administration in early February.

The satellite has been transported to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site and pre-launch tests will be carried out as scheduled. At present, the facilities at the launch site are in good condition and preparatory work is underway as planned, the agency said.

Queqiao-2 will serve as a relay platform for the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, providing communications services for the Chang'e-4, Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions.