Satellite Constellation Design for a Lunar Navigation and Communication System

There has been a growing interest in using small satellites (SmallSats) for a future lunar navigation and communication satellite system (LNCSS). We conceptualize the design of a SmallSat-based LNCSS with Earth-global positioning system (GPS) time transfer that provides navigation and communication...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation
Main Authors: Sriramya Bhamidipati, Tara Mina, Alana Sanchez, Grace Gao
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Institute of Navigation 2023
Subjects:
Canals and inland navigation. Waterways
TC601-791
Naval Science
V
South Pole
South pole
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.33012/navi.613
https://doaj.org/article/f4a96ebd24d34b6ebea80f6347c5195f
Description
Summary:There has been a growing interest in using small satellites (SmallSats) for a future lunar navigation and communication satellite system (LNCSS). We conceptualize the design of a SmallSat-based LNCSS with Earth-global positioning system (GPS) time transfer that provides navigation and communication services near the lunar south pole. A hybrid constellation design is formulated, wherein all satellites provide navigation services while only a fraction are communication-enabled. Using Systems Tool Kit software, we examine various LNCSS case studies based on an elliptical lunar frozen orbit with a lower-grade chip-scale atomic clock. Case studies are evaluated in terms of (1) navigation considerations, including position and timing accuracy, lunar user equivalent ranging error, and dilution of precision, (2) communication considerations, including data volume, availability, and data rate, and (3) SmallSat factors, including cost, size, weight, and power. We performed a trade-off analysis for satisfying the criteria outlined by international space agencies while designing low-cost, low-SWaP lunar constellations.

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