Core Points - Chinese scientists successfully detected a laser signal reflected from a 10-centimeter diameter retroreflector on the Moon, marking a significant achievement in space exploration [1][4] - This accomplishment makes China the fourth country to complete such measurements, following France, Germany, and the United States [4] - The new generation of lunar retroreflectors offers higher precision compared to previous models, despite being more challenging to observe due to their smaller size and weaker signals [6][8] Group 1 - The laser echoes were received from a set of retroreflectors installed on the lunar surface, which serve as reference points for measuring distances in space [3] - The measurement process involves sending laser pulses from ground observation stations to the retroreflectors and calculating the time taken for the pulses to return [3] - The difficulty of detecting such a small target from a distance of approximately 380,000 kilometers is likened to finding a grain of sand on an aircraft carrier's deck [8] Group 2 - The "Tianqin Project" aims to continuously collect data from the retroreflectors to accumulate high-precision Earth-Moon distance measurements [10] - This data will be used for research on gravitational forces, the evolution of the Earth-Moon system, and will lay the groundwork for future gravitational wave detection in space [10]

Group 1 - The core achievement of the Tianqin project is the successful detection of the new generation lunar laser retroreflector NGLR-1's echo signal, marking the first time Chinese scientists have detected this lunar laser reflector [1] - On August 13, the Tianqin station team obtained a total of 55 distance measurement values from the NGLR-1, confirming the success of the ranging experiment despite initial weather-related interruptions [1] - The successful detection provides crucial data for understanding gravity, spacetime, the moon's interior, and the evolution of the Earth-Moon system, contributing to a deeper understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe [1] Group 2 - The Tianqin project, proposed by Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Luo Jun in 2014, aims to deploy three satellites in Earth orbit by around 2035, forming an equilateral triangle constellation for space gravitational wave detection [2] - This recent achievement is part of the ongoing progress of the Tianqin project, which is focused on advanced research in fundamental physics, astrophysics, and cosmology [2]

Group 1 - The successful detection of the new generation lunar laser retroreflector NGLR-1 by the Sun Yat-sen University Tianqin Station marks China's achievement in lunar laser measurement, making it the fourth country to accomplish this after France, Germany, and the United States [1][3] - The Tianqin team initially obtained 17 distance measurement values and later confirmed the success of the measurement by acquiring 38 additional values, despite weather interruptions [3] - The NGLR-1 retroreflector, unlike its predecessors, is a solid 10-centimeter diameter object, which increases measurement precision and reduces distance broadening effects caused by lunar libration [4] Group 2 - The Tianqin project, proposed by Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Luo Jun in 2014, aims to establish a space gravitational wave observatory by deploying three satellites in a triangular formation by around 2035 [4] - The successful measurement of the NGLR-1 contributes to the ongoing progress of the Tianqin project, which supports long-term research in lunar physics, astrophysics, and cosmology [4]