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LiAISON: Linked, Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation Project
Completed
TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
Description
A new navigation technique known as LiAISON (Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation) may be used to propel the benefits of GPS to new orbits, including GEO, lunar, L1, and L2 orbits.
Benefits
Three-Body orbits (such as this L1 orbit) are anchored to the Earth and Moon. This permits relative range/Doppler measurements to contain information about each spacecraft's absolute position and velocity. No ground measurements necessary, whatsoever! The result is akin to GPS at the Moon, using only a single dedicated navigation satellite.
Details
| Technology area | GN&C > Navigation Technologies > Navigation Sensors |
| Program | Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF) |
| Lead organization | Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA |
| Start date | 2011-12-01 |
| End date | 2012-09-01 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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