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Canceled TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
| The Lunar surface navigation project aims to develop algorithms for lunar rover localization that use onboard crater recognition, orbital crater maps, and other low-cost navigation sensors for heading estimation (sun or star sensing), rover tilt sensing (IMU), and local dead reckoning (IMU plus visual and wheel odometry). |
This will enable onboard, autonomous, absolute position estimation for lunar rovers with an accuracy of approximately 5 meters anywhere in sunlight and about 15 meters in permanently shadowed regions.
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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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