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Active TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 8)
The Lunar Surface Propagation (LSP) team models propagation effects of the lunar environment to determine the impact on communication signals. The LSP team is unifying agency-wide propagation subject matter expertise (GRC/JPL) to lead lunar RF analysis across the agency (Artemis/M2M, SAO/LAT, CLPS).
NASA needs to reduce uncertainty in predictions of lunar propagation effects so that lunar communications systems can be efficiently designed.
Develop and deliver validated propagation models for applicable NASA lunar use cases through FY30 to SCaN and make them publicly available approximately by the end of FY28.
The results from this project are important for the lunar wireless system link margin analysis to determine the limits on the reliable communication range, achievable data rate, and RF coverage performance at planned lunar base worksites.
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