A scalable small-spacecraft navigation and communication infrastructure for lunar operations

Abstract

The NASA Exploration Initiative provides a defining vision for the U.S. space program that include a series of human and robotic missions to the Moon, thereby enabling ultimate exploration of Mars and other destinations. The success of this initiative will rest on the foundation of the initial lunar missions. These missions can be aided and enabled by a navigation and communication infrastructure that can evolve in capability to support lunar operations and data collection. This paper describes a system concept for evolving a lunar navigation/communication infrastructure. The described approach uses small spacecraft that are capable of launch as auxiliary payloads. The mission concept is detailed, including spacecraft design, payload concepts and performance estimates for navigation precision and communications coverage. A complete lunar infrastructure would provide global, persistent high-precision navigation and full communications connectivity among lunar elements and the Earth. Detailed herein is an essential first step towards a complete lunar infrastructure that provides continuous navigation and communication support to envisioned near-term lunar missions. The system consists of three small, cost-effective spacecraft that provide radio frequency (RF)-based navigation and communication services from polar orbits. The system concept is designed to evolve by providing improved navigation accuracy and increased communication coverage and bandwidth as additional spacecraft supplement the infrastructure.