Phased array antenna is about to "patrol nine days"

As a satellite group consisting of dozens of satellites, the Beidou Satellite Navigation System (hereinafter referred to as the Beidou system) has strict technical requirements for intersatellite links, requiring "real-time dialogue" between various navigation satellites. Unlike traditional antennas that rely on mechanical rotation, phased array antennas can "match and bridge" different satellites at any time without "twisting their necks", becoming an inevitable choice for building intersatellite links.

As the core equipment of the intersatellite link, the "Ka intersatellite link phased array antenna" has many technical difficulties such as high performance index requirements, low weight, volume and power consumption, and high engineering difficulty. It has many components and the research and development work involves microwaves, antennas, electronics and other majors, and has a strong system. China's success in this regard shows its extraordinary R&D capabilities in space-based precision systems. At present, the General Department of the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is carrying out relevant research and production work in full swing according to the established process, striving to achieve the first flight as soon as possible, so that the phased array antenna can "patrol nine days" and the Beidou global navigation system can "shock the world".

Beidou, a satellite navigation system, and electronic reconnaissance satellites are two major components of China's military satellites. A US think tank once said that China's satellite capabilities have been aligned with those of the United States, and its Beidou system has entered the trial operation stage. It is revealed that by 2020, the Beidou system, consisting of 35 satellites, will have global coverage capabilities. Andrew Erickson, a US Navy expert, said that the Beidou system will bring great value to the Chinese military and civilian users, and its positioning information is accurate to within 10 meters and will be open to the world.

An article in the Christian Science Monitor in the United States said that like the US global satellite positioning system, the Beidou system will have two types: civilian and military. When used for civilian transportation, the accuracy of the Beidou system may be within 10 meters, and the system can record speed with an error range of 0.2 meters per second. As for the military type, its navigation and positioning accuracy is much higher than that of the civilian type. At least before the third-generation GPS system of the United States is put into use, the People's Liberation Army will have the same high accuracy as the US military currently enjoys. At present, the third-generation GPS of the United States is still in the prototype stage. According to Ran Chengqi, director of the China Satellite Navigation System Office, the Beidou system will increase the PLA's target tracking capabilities by 100 to 1,000 times and also reduce military spending. If China can complete the deployment of 35 satellites for the Beidou system by 2020, the PLA will be able to get rid of its dependence on the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russia's GLONASS satellite navigation system. The Beidou system will provide accurate positioning and navigation for China's missiles, precision-guided weapons and other weapons. The tracking and imaging provided by the Beidou system will greatly enhance the PLA's ability to launch "surgical" missile strikes and use precision-guided munitions.

Why is the Beidou system so important? Because knowing exactly where you or your opponent is on the earth is one of the most powerful technologies that any country wants to master. The operation of the Beidou system will completely stop China from relying on the US GPS system, which means that the PLA can deploy its troops anywhere in the world without any US interference. Currently, the United States can shut down its global positioning system (GPS) in a specific area, so that all countries in the area cannot use the GPS system, including the military of hostile countries. After the Beidou satellite positioning system is put into operation, this US tactic will become ineffective.