"China's Upcoming Lunar Navigation and Communications Test Satellites"

China is set to launch Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2, experimental technology satellites, along with Queqiao-2, a lunar communications relay satellite, to support upcoming Chang’e lunar missions. The Tiandu satellites will conduct tests for navigation and communications technology verification in lunar orbit, informing the design of China’s proposed Queqiao lunar navigation and communication constellation. These efforts are part of building infrastructure to support the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and aim to establish a lunar base in the 2030s. China is also aiming to put a pair of astronauts on the moon before 2030.