(Click photo to enlarge) 40°27'22.08"N 93°24'3.65"E
Okay, this huge geoglyph (1.07 mi. x 0.84 mi.) is a complete mystery to me. It's in an area of the Chinese desert near Mongolia and the western end of the Great Wall of China, which lies in ruins and small chunks in this part of the country. The glyph pictured here is actually one of several in the area. There is another nearby that resembles this one (described as looking like a stained glass window), two that resemble small simulated airports, and another smaller glyph that looks like a section of highway. Most of the glyphs are pockmarked, which suggests they may be part of a military target range. Even if that is the case, this "stained glass" pattern is a mystery, since it doesn't resemble anything bombers would typically target in real life. Also, the fact that this is something of a tourist area and significant archaeological site would be an argument against military targets. Anyone have any ideas?
It looks like a modern neighborhood layout. Perhaps buildings will eventually go up for military urban and suburban training?
ReplyDeleteCompare it to an area just SE of Ordos in Chinese Mongolia at 39.32.16.72N, and 109.52.49.20E.
ReplyDeleteOrigami layout for a really big swan?
ReplyDeleteHere's a wild guess ...
ReplyDeleteThese grids are being utilized by CLEP, the Chinese Lunar Exploratory Program. China has embarked on an ambitious lunar exploratory program to map the Moon and explore it for various minerals and for the location of water. Chang'e 1 successfully launched on October 24, 2007 and Chang'e 2 launched on October 1, 2010 . These are orbiting satellites primarily focused on mapping the lunar surface. The biggest challenge for CLEP to date has been the operation of the Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) systems. The satellites have to be properly oriented towards the Earth, the Moon and the Sun. All onboard detectors have to be kept facing the lunar surface to complete their scientific exploration missions, while the transmitting/receiving antennas have to be facing the Earth to receive commands and transfer scientific data. Each satellite's solar panels, meanwhile, have to be oriented towards the Sun to acquire power for normal operation. During lunar orbit, the three bodies of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun rotate relatively, so attitude control is a complex three-vector control process, with the Chang'e satellites having to adjust their attitude carefully to maintain an optimal angle towards all three bodies. The huge geo-glyphs are a precise target which allow these satellites periodically synchronize their orientation as the Earth rotates. They are composed of a reflective metallic material perfectly suited for this purpose.