Lunar mGNSS Receiver (mGNSS)

This project supports the development of the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment project, see LuGRE project in TechPort.

The objective of the multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (mGNSS) project is to:

• Develop a low Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C) GNSS receiver appropriate for all orbit regimes including cislunar/lunar space
• Qualify the mGNSS receiver to fly on the FireFly Blue Ghost Lander, see LuGRE project.
• Infuse a lunar capable GNSS receiver into lunar Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) architecture/missions and other novel applications

Operational use of GPS has been demonstrated half-way to the moon on the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Lunar GNSS feasibility has been demonstrated through high fidelity simulations conducted by the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program, and in lunar orbit and on the lunar surface by the LuGRE experiment. See LuGRE entry in TechPort.

• Provides a low SWAP GNSS receiver for precise real-time navigation and timing for LEO, GEO, HEO, and cislunar/lunar space missions to enable guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) and science
• Leverages existing always-on Earth-based infrastructure for navigation and timing
• Reduces network loading and increase onboard mission capability
• Enables crewed autonomous navigation and timing in the event of loss of communication
• Enables real-time, precise on-board PNT distribution
• Reduces risk for commercial development and operation
• Maintains hardware-in-the-loop simulation, development, testing capabilities

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.