China’s New Space Telescope to Strengthen Astronomical Program
China is actively working on a large-scale project to strengthen its national astronomical program and the use of the country’s space station. The new space telescope, called Xuntian, meaning “research of the sky,” is set to launch next year.
The Xuntian telescope, also known as the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), is equipped with a two-meter diameter primary mirror and is intended for joint orbit with the Tiangong space station. Its expected service life is 10 years, with the possibility of mission extension.
Xuntian is specifically designed to surpass NASA’s Hubble telescope and will be placed in orbit next to the China space station, allowing for periodic upgrades by astronauts.
Lin Sitsyan, Deputy Director of the Chinese Directorate of Manned Space Flights, expects breakthroughs in cosmology, dark matter, dark energy, and the study of the Milky Way and other neighboring galaxies from the Xintian telescope. With an observation area of 17,500 square degrees, the telescope will conduct deep overviews and study various types of celestial bodies.
The launch of Xuntian into the Earth’s orbit is planned on the Long March 5b rocket, providing the Chinese “eye” with 300 times more coverage in orbit compared to the Hubble telescope.
CJSC Jianpin, chief designer of the China Space Program, emphasizes the significance of Xuntian, calling it “the most important scientific project since the launch of the country’s space station.” The telescope also boasts the world’s most advanced ability to create images in the ultraviolet spectrum.
However, some researchers have expressed doubts about Xuntian’s capabilities. Astronomer and Head of the Hubble Mission, Tom Brown, highlights the lack of public knowledge regarding the specific capabilities of the Xuntian telescope, making it difficult to assess its potential.
Despite the impressive plans and ambitions, many questions regarding Xuntian remain unanswered, and the global scientific community is closely monitoring the development of this project.