Core Insights - China's research team has successfully constructed the world's first lunar orbital VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) system, which has detected interference patterns of celestial radio emissions and spacecraft signals [1][4] - The system, known as LOVEX (Lunar Orbital VLBI Experiment), is part of China's Chang'e 7 lunar exploration program and utilizes the QiaoQiao II relay satellite platform [1][2] - LOVEX features a long baseline of approximately 380,000 kilometers and offers high spatial resolution for deep space observations and precise spacecraft tracking [4] System Details - The VLBI payload equipment was developed by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory in collaboration with various domestic aerospace electronic technology units, including components like X-band low-temperature receivers and passive hydrogen atomic clocks [2][4] - The QiaoQiao II relay satellite was launched on March 20, 2024, and is currently in a stable orbit at a near-moon point of 300 kilometers and a far-moon point of 160,000 kilometers [2] Innovations and Capabilities - LOVEX is the first space VLBI system independently completed by a single country and is the fourth operational space VLBI project globally [4] - It boasts the longest interference baseline of about 380,000 kilometers, the widest observation bandwidth of 512 MHz, and the highest data rate of 2 Gbps among all space VLBI systems [4] - The system has achieved the first VLBI measurement test of deep space probes in the space-earth baseline and has successfully stored raw VLBI data onboard in a space mission environment [4] Future Contributions - As data collection and scientific analysis progress, LOVEX is expected to provide deeper insights into the astronomical environment and contribute significantly to future deep space exploration capabilities [6]