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Applications and Benefits of GNSS for Lunar ExplorationThis paper explores the role of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in NASA's lunar exploration plans. Robust position, navigation and timing (PNT) at the Moon will rely on a variety of measurement sources, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The best navigation solution will depend on mission type, the phase within each mission, the state of lunar infrastructure development at the time and a host of other considerations. No single method will provide all PNT for all scenarios, but GNSS offers a continuously available, flight-proven source of navigation and timing with unique features that make it a valuable option. As NASA launches a new era of lunar exploration missions in 2021, development of the supporting navigation architecture is underway. This paper describes the role GNSS could or will play in the components of NASA's lunar exploration plans: the Artemis missions designed to return humans to the lunar surface, the Gateway platform orbiting near the Moon that will host astronauts as well as science and technology payloads, and the robotic lander missions administered by the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. GNSS-based autonomous navigation has the potential to dramatically expand lunar exploration capabilities. Through the use of GNSS and GNSS-like augmentations, navigation performance could be improved while simultaneously reducing operational complexity relative to conventional, ground-based navigation methods. As NASA begins to implement its lunar exploration plans this year and assemble the enabling communications and navigation infrastructure, GNSS will provide an important part of the diverse measurements required for robust lunar PNT.
Document ID
20210014049
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Benjamin W Ashman
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Lauren G Schlenker
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Joel J K Parker
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Frank H Bauer
(FBauer Aerospace Consulting Services)
Luke B Winternitz
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Anne C Long
(AI Solutions Lanham, Maryland, United States)
Kyle J Craft
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, Maryland, United States)
Munther A Hassouneh
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Date Acquired
April 20, 2021
Publication Date
May 3, 2021
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: 16th International Conference on Space Operations
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: May 3, 2021
End Date: May 5, 2021
Sponsors: European Space Agency
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 439432.07.01.15.08.02.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
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