In a stunning leap for space exploration, China has successfully carried out its inaugural satellite laser ranging from Earth's surface to the Moon, as unveiled by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Wednesday.

This groundbreaking achievement, part of the ambitious "Earth-Moon DRO Exploration" project, saw precise laser measurements taken from the DRO-A satellite, situated approximately 350,000 kilometers away. Utilizing an innovative single-corner-cube reflector paired with a state-of-the-art 1.2-meter aperture telescope system, the mission reached a new frontier in deep-space capability.

With this success, China joins an elite group of nations that have mastered high-precision lunar distance measurements — a crucial step for future lunar landings and deep-space navigation, experts emphasize.

Zhang Wei, chief engineer for the project at the CAS Space Application Center, stated, "This success lays the foundation for centimeter-level accuracy in lunar and deep-space measurements," highlighting the significant implications for upcoming missions.

The onboard reflector, meticulously crafted by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, met several challenges, including microradian-level angular control and thermal stability in extreme conditions. Meanwhile, the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory played a vital role in optimizing ground systems to detect ultra-weak signals, making it possible to capture those elusive laser echoes.

Conducted in collaboration with the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites and various CAS institutes, this experiment showcases China's rapidly advancing expertise in space technology. Looking ahead, plans are already afoot to enhance ground station networks and refine reflector designs, reinforcing China's position as a leader in Earth-Moon exploration.