A System Study about a Lunar Navigation Satellite Transmitter System

Abstract

Today, deep space missions are navigated and tracked with Deep Space Tracking Stations. However, the navigation operations are relatively expensive and the accuracy is within kilometre range, which needs to be improved for human space exploration. This paper will present initial results of a system study about a Lunar Navigation Satellite System. The study contains investigations about the design of navigation transmitter satellites considering the characteristics of different lunar orbits, the resulting visibility conditions and approximate performances for user receivers on and around the Moon.