Multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Receiver Payload

GPS signals originating from Earth orbiters have been tracked up to half the distance to the Moon, but analyses indicate that signals from GPS and ESA’s Galileo likely can be tracked the whole way. Researchers aim to validate that GPS and Galileo signals can be used for lunar/cislunar positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). They will fly two different multi-GNSS receivers on a suborbital flight and use the data to down-select one receiver to fly on a lunar lander and/or cislunar spacecraft.

Summary of Flight Test
ESA: On 1 October 2024, a collaborative experiment between ESA and NASA successfully launched aboard an SL-15 sounding rocket from Spaceport America, New Mexico, USA. The GNSS Experiment called EXPOL, aims to demonstrate the benefits of interoperability between the Galileo (Europe) and GPS (USA) Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in highly dynamic environments. During a launch, space vehicles are reliant on GNSS signals for tracking, monitoring and safety. The ability to receive signals from multiple GNSS constellations would offer launchers more precise and reliable real-time position, velocity, and time (PVT) information. During the flight, GOOSE received navigation signals from both Galileo and GPS satellites. During the rocket's highly dynamic boost phase, which lasted approximately 12.5 seconds and reached a maximum acceleration of 13.5 g, the receiver continuously tracked a total of between 12 and 14 GNSS satellites and provided a continuous PVT solution. This level of tracking performance in such a dynamic environment is considered very successful and indicates the robustness of the hardware under challenging conditions.
ASI: During this flight campaign Qascom team was able to demonstrate the effective use of a multi constellation (GPS-Galileo) multi-frequency (L1/E1-L5/E5a) GNSS receiver on a launch vehicle.
Flight data will be useful to perform experimental evaluations of the benefits of interoperability between GPS and Galileo constellations, as well as usability of such receiver types in critical autonomous launcher operations. The test flight has provided extremely valuable data to aid in this ongoing process for research and optimization of the technology for the multi-GNSS receiver in such high dynamic environments.

• Validating: Supports efforts to prove that GPS and Galileo signals can be used for navigation all the way to the Moon
• Useful: Relevant for NASA, international, and commercial partners
• Enabling: Stands to improve PNT for lunar and cislunar missions

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