The 40-meter radio telescope in Shigatse is a key scientific and technological infrastructure co-funded and built under China's fourth-phase lunar exploration program and by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It will significantly boost China's capability in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI)-based precise orbit determination for lunar and deep-space probes, and vigorously advance the development of radio astronomy in China. It is expected to yield innovative outcomes in a range of frontier astronomical fields, including research on supermassive black holes, rapidly time-varying compact objects, electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves, galactic dynamics, and high-precision integrated space-terrestrial reference frames.

In December 2024, the Shigatse 40-meter radio telescope was completed, with S/X dual-frequency observation capabilities. In March 2025, it successfully took part in China's first VLBI six-station joint measurement, achieving high-quality fringes. By the end of May 2025, the telescope participated in the Tianwen-2 asteroid exploration mission, marking the official operation of the Shigatse Station. At present, the 40-meter radio telescope continues to be involved in LOVEX lunar VLBI observations, observations of the Chang'e series satellites, and pulsar radio astronomy observations.

The Shigatse 40-meter radio telescope is situated at the border of Nierixiong Township (Jialie Village), Sangzhuzi District, Shigatse City, and Chexiu Township (Chen Village), Sajia County, Xizang Autonomous Region. Its coordinates are 88.63° East longitude and 29.20° North latitude, with an elevation of 4,100 meters. Located in China's southwestern border area, it enjoys a superior radio environment and cold, dry winters—conditions that support radio astronomical observations across meter to millimeter wavebands.

As a high-precision large-scale radio astronomical observation device, the Shigatse 40-meter radio telescope has the following core features:

It adopts a high-precision dual-arm turntable-type dual-reflector antenna.

The overall tolerance of the primary reflector is better than 0.3 millimeters, and the accuracy of the sub-reflector is 30 micrometers. The sub-reflector is equipped with a parallel adjustment mechanism, enabling three-degree-of-freedom adjustment.

Within the elevation range of 10° to 80°, its X-band efficiency is over 70%, and its tracking and pointing accuracy is better than 5 arcseconds.

The planned six sets of single-frequency receivers will enable continuous spectral coverage from 700 MHz to 50 GHz, with the potential to be upgraded for W-band observations (67–116 GHz). Currently, it is equipped with an S/X dual-frequency cryogenic receiver that meets the requirements for VLBI satellite orbit determination and geodetic measurements.

These features make the Shigatse Observatory one of the major astronomical observation stations in Xizang. It enables effective frontier research in astrophysics, such as studies on interstellar molecules (including prebiotic molecules), celestial masers, pulsars, and gravitational waves. Notably, it is expected to acquire key structural, physical, and dynamical data on molecular clouds in critical regions of the Northern Milky Way, generating significant scientific outputs.

Furthermore, leveraging its excellent radio environment and geographical advantages, the Shigatse Observatory will conduct VLBI observations in collaboration with domestic large-aperture radio telescopes, including the 500-meter FAST telescope in Guizhou, to drive the development of China's radio astronomy industry. It will also engage in extensive international cooperation, such as joint observations with the European VLBI Network (EVN), East Asian VLBI Network (EAVN), and International VLBI Service (IVS). The Shigatse Observatory is anticipated to make substantial contributions to high-angular-resolution scientific observations and research in fields like supermassive black holes, rapidly time-varying compact objects, electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves, galactic dynamics, and high-precision integrated space-terrestrial reference frames.