Lunar Surface Navigation, Phase I

To support extended lunar operations, precision localization and route mapping is required for planetary EVA, manned rovers and lunar surface mobility units. A process called multilateration is proposed coupled with the use of an IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP). This protocol was created specifically to address timecode inaccuracies across distributed nodes on a non-deterministic network like Ethernet. Multilateration is a method widely used for air traffic control. The innovation is the establishment of a fault tolerant, field scalable, high precision navigation system that can and support the size, weight, and power (SWaP) goals by applying mature technologies to provide an innovative navigation infrastructure while naturally supporting data and voice communications on the same network. Such a system provides a precise and reliable navigation backbone and establishes a core infrastructure for long term occupation. Selected key components of the system as defined in the Phase I period will be functionally validated through use of existing Sensis products to validate predicted performance and demonstrate a TRL level 4 is achieved and the end of Phase I. An end-to-end demonstration would follow at the end of the Phase II period to achieve a TRL level 6. More »