China on Saturday launched the construction of two advanced telescope projects at the Lenghu site in northwest China’s Qinghai Province, marking a significant step in astronomical research.

The first, a 4.2-meter dedicated ground-based astrometric telescope, will become the world’s largest precision measurement telescope for solar system objects upon its completion in 2027. The second, a 2.5-meter multi-terminal general-purpose telescope, set to finish in 2026, will be China’s largest coaxial transmit-receive laser ranging telescope.

These telescopes will complement each other in observational techniques, enabling high-precision positioning of solar system celestial bodies. Together, they will form an internationally advanced ground-based optical precision observation system, enhancing China’s capabilities in space exploration and astronomical research.

The Lenghu site, known for its clear skies and stable atmospheric conditions, is becoming a key hub for astronomical observation. This project underscores China’s growing ambitions in space science and technology.