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A Small Satellite Lunar Communications and Navigation System
Completed
TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
Description
The work in this collaboration will develop and demonstrate a LunaNet CubeSat position, navigation, timing and messaging system enabling communication between the Moon and LunaNet or Earth. The key technology in this proposal is a UHF two-way communication and ranging system along with the broadcast PNT and alert system. This system provides performance similar to a cell phone using a combination of UHF, Ku-band, and X-band frequencies, and could broadcast space weather updates or alters to Earth and Moon. To provide precise navigation between the Moon, Lunar Gateway and Earth, the overall proposed system includes components on the lunar surface, in lunar orbit, Lunar Gateway station, and on Earth. As our presence in space expands, the technology to enable complex missions is essential, and advanced navigation technology for a SmallSat is a known problem to be solved. Performance targets for this system are: a) provide 30ns 1-sigma time transfer and better than 10m positioning accuracy; b) provide the capability to provide two way text messaging between the moon and Lunar Gateway or Earth.
Benefits
The work proposed here will enable cell phone level performance position, navigation, timing (PNT) and text messaging at the Moon and the technologies involved would improve performance relative to the current state-of-the-art in small spacecraft capabilities. This system could be further evolved and utilized as an early demonstration of the LunaNet capability by providing high network access and connectivity as well as low bandwidth messaging capability to lunar surface assets.
Details
| Technology area | Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Network-Provided Position, Navigation, and Timing > Revolutionary PNT Technologies |
| Program | Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) |
| Lead organization | University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO |
| Start date | 2020-07-01 |
| End date | 2024-06-30 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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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