Thales Alenia Space Has Been Selected by the European Space Agency to Study Specific Technical Aspects for a Future Lunar Radio Navigation System

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study fundamental techniques, models and algorithms to facilitate a future Lunar Radio Navigation System (LNRS). This study contract is part of ESA’s Moonlight initiative, aiming to build reliable communication and navigation services to support the next generation of institutional and private Lunar Exploration Missions. Moon exploration is a strategic priority in space exploration, for both ESA and the industries, and it will enable the future manned missions to Mars.

This contract covers the definition of the Orbit Determination and Timing Synchronization (ODTS) concepts, the Lunar reference frames (selenodetic and timing) and the signal modulation techniques for one-way and two-way services applicable to future lunar radio navigation communication.

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The Orbit Determination and Time Synchronization are key factors to provide accurate positioning and timing synchronization to future Moon Users. In recent years, the scientific community has been involved in several studies on the Lunar Navigation system, and in particular on different Orbit Determination and Time Synchronization algorithms. Some of these algorithms have been used for terrestrial applications but, for the lunar environment, additional models and technological constraints have to be considered.

This is the challenge that Thales Alenia Space will tackle, in partnership with Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), the French National Centre for Space Studies – CNES (Space geodesy office) and Politecnico di Torino.

This activity complements the ongoing Phase A/B1 activities that will study the feasibility and definition of a future Lunar Communications and Navigation Services, with one of the parallel contracts led by Telespazio. Thales Alenia Space, together with Telespazio, is responsible for the definition and design of the overall system, as well as for the design of the space segment (elements orbiting around the Moon) and the lunar segment (elements on the surface of the Moon). The synergy established with Telespazio will ensure the optimisation of the solution.

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