Dual-comb absolute ranging reaches orbit

Light Science & Applications 2026 Open access

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Authors: Yuxuan Ma, Yingying Gu, Siyu Zhou, Liheng Shi, Yongchun Xie, Guanhao Wu
DOI: 10.1038/s41377-026-02283-9
Cited by: 1
References: 12

Abstract

A dual-comb absolute-ranging payload delivered to China's Tiangong space station aboard Tianzhou-9 has demonstrated sustained on-orbit interferogram acquisition in an extravehicular environment. The system reports 13 µm precision at a 1 kHz update rate and stable operation over months, advancing traceable space metrology for formation flying and deployable observatories.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies GNSS positioning and interference Space Satellite Systems and Control

Publication details

Journal / source
Light Science & Applications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
15
Issue
1
Publication date
20 April 2026
Language
EN