Even on the dark side of the Moon – GPS like Moon Navigation
A new Lunar navigation system will enable GPS like navigation on the Moon
Navigating on the Moon is not easy. The information of where a lunar explorer is depends on calculations and signals from earth. Take in account time delays and ‘shadow’ parts, the exact position of an explorer will remain a wild guess.
The Spanish company GMV developed and tested a new lunar navigation system (Lupin) that will help future exploration with more exact location data. It works like our earth GPS navigation with the help of the future Lunar Communication Navigation System (LCNS). These are satellite signals that will be used in the same way as GPS signals are used on Earth, although in this case the satellites will be in orbit around the Moon. This system will also be adapted to particular areas of interest (for example, the lunar south pole, the far side of the moon, and permanently shadowed regions).
The Lupin navigation is tested and tried on earth with a positive result, after carrying out field testing from April 27th to May 8th in the municipality of La Oliva, on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura. This project is in cooperation with the European Space Agency.
Mariella Graziano, GMV’s Manager of Strategy and Business Development for Science, Exploration and Transportation Strategy, and Steven Kay, GMV’s manager for the LUPIN project, were responsible for explaining the field tests performed and the corresponding details. According to Steven Kay, GMV’s manager for the LUPIN project, “we were able to successfully compile data over the course of 7 kilometers of travel, and at various speeds, from the conventional 0.2 meters per second, up to much faster speeds of 1.0 meters per second, which are the speeds of the future. In addition, we were able to simulate a whole range of lunar conditions and types of environments. This included tests performed at night, using a combination of simulated sunlight to emulate the illumination conditions found on the moon, as well as tests performed in total darkness, using only the rover’s onboard lighting system to navigate.¨
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
