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Preliminary Design of the Lunar Data Network Constellation Under Operational ConsiderationsIntuitive Machines will launch and operate the first United States based Lunar Communication and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing constellation starting in 2026. This paper describes the design considerations for the constellation’s orbits under the performance requirements for coverage and quality of service. The selected five satellite elliptical frozen lunar orbit constellation is presented together with a performance analysis. Additionally, the outbound Ballistic Lunar Transfer trajectory for the constellation’s first satellite will be presented together with a Delta-V budget assessment.
Document ID
20250006883
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Daniel Brack
(Intuitive Machines Houston, Texas, United States)
Tim Roorda
(Intuitive Machines Houston, Texas, United States)
Ravishankar Mathur
(Intuitive Machines Houston, Texas, United States)
David Gaylor
(Intuitive Machines Houston, Texas, United States)
Mark Hartigan
(Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, United States)
Grant Ryden
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, United States)
Juan Crenshaw
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, United States)
Michael Volle
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, United States)
Shaun Stewart
(Intuitive Machines Houston, Texas, United States)
Date Acquired
July 9, 2025
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Report/Patent Number
AAS 25-758
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2025 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference
Location: Boston, MA
Country: US
Start Date: August 10, 2025
End Date: August 14, 2025
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80GSFC24CA018
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Technical Review
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