Cislunar Navigation Prospects

Editor's source: Shangguan Yong, Zheng Peng, Zhang Hua, et al. Research on the Current State and Technology Development of Cislunar Space Navigation[J]. Telemetry and Remote Sensing, 2026.
Author: Tianjiang Talk
Editor's source: https://cislunarspace.cn

Development Evolution Direction

Cislunar navigation is evolving from ground-based systems to multi-constellation coordination networks, moving toward multi-source fusion architectures and extending into deep space.

From Ground-Based to Multi-Constellation Coordination Networks

Current GNSS systems, through high-sensitivity receiver extension services, can achieve meter-level positioning on cislunar transfer orbits. However, challenges such as signal attenuation and coverage blind spots on the far side of the Moon remain, making this approach only suitable for early low-cost missions.

In the future, a network will form comprising extended Earth GNSS, Queqiao-series relay satellites, cislunar DRO constellations, lunar orbital constellations, and lunar surface beacon stations operating in coordination. At the international level, NASA's Luna Navigation Service (LNS) constellation and ESA's Moonlight constellation will collaborate to achieve resource sharing and complementary capabilities. Domestically, the "Cislunar Lighthouse" system based on DRO constellations will be further expanded, integrating Queqiao relay satellites with Chang'e mission achievements to build a comprehensive navigation network covering cislunar space and supporting multi-mission coordinated operations.

Toward Multi-Source Fusion Architectures

Future cislunar navigation will develop in the direction of "high precision, high autonomy, multi-source fusion, and intelligence":

Precision: Through optimized signal processing algorithms and the deployment of lunar surface augmentation beacons, sub-meter positioning accuracy in near-lunar space and ten-meter-level accuracy on cislunar transfer orbits will be achieved.

Autonomy: AI-based intelligent navigation algorithms will be developed to achieve adaptive adjustment of navigation parameters and autonomous fault diagnosis, extending autonomous navigation duration from the current several days to several months.

Fusion: A multi-source fusion system combining "GNSS extension + lunar constellations + celestial navigation + laser ranging" will enhance system robustness.

Key Technical Challenges

Cislunar navigation faces three major technical challenges:

Unified Space-Time Reference: The Moon lacks an independent time standard. Currently, all national lunar missions use their own time scales converted to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Lunar surface time runs approximately 57.5 microseconds faster per Earth day than Earth surface time. This level of time difference poses severe challenges to the timing requirements of navigation systems. In terms of spatial reference, Earth uses the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) while the Moon uses the International Lunar Reference System (ILRS), requiring connection to Earth's J2000.0 inertial coordinate system through coordinate transformations. Error accumulation during this conversion process degrades navigation accuracy.

Complex Environmental Interference: Celestial gravitational fields cause light bending, increasing celestial navigation observation errors by more than 30%. GNSS sidelobe signal power flux density on the lunar surface is only about 10⁻⁶ of that on Earth. Lunar terrain occlusion results in 100% signal blockage on the far side of the Moon and more than 40% in the south polar region. The space radiation environment causes performance degradation of navigation equipment electronic components.

High-Precision Navigation Under Long-Delay and Weak-Coverage Links: How to achieve smooth transitions between navigation technologies at different mission phases while ensuring positioning accuracy and enhancing system autonomy remains a key technical challenge.

International Cooperation Needs

Building cislunar navigation systems requires international cooperation to promote the establishment of a globally unified lunar space-time reference system, to coordinate and solve the unification of lunar timekeeping standards and spatial reference frames, and to avoid fragmented development of national technical systems. China can leverage its inherent advantages in the Beidou Satellite Navigation System and satellite laser ranging technology to proactively participate in international standard-setting for lunar navigation, providing unified navigation services for international lunar research stations.

Extension into Deep Space

The development of cislunar navigation technology will provide a technical foundation for deep space exploration at greater distances. Building on X-ray pulsar navigation and laser ranging technology, future navigation systems will gradually extend to deep space regions such as Mars and the asteroid belt. The cislunar navigation network will serve as a relay station for deep space exploration, providing orbital correction and precise positioning services for spacecraft, pushing the boundaries of human space exploration further into the cosmos.

Development Pathway Recommendations

Taking cislunar hybrid navigation as the core development direction, achieving rapid breakthroughs in weak-signal navigation, supported by inter-satellite links, and building lunar-specific navigation constellations over the long term, represents the optimal development pathway balancing technical feasibility, cost control, and mission requirements.

Phase	Key Focus Areas
Near-term	GNSS weak-signal navigation (low cost, quick results, suitable for basic navigation and emergency backup)
Mid-term	Cislunar hybrid navigation (5-10 years, primary solution for crewed lunar landing and lunar scientific research station)
Long-term	Lunar navigation constellation (lunar base construction, resource development, sustained presence)

References

Shangguan Yong, Zheng Peng, Zhang Hua, et al. Research on the Current State and Technology Development of Cislunar Space Navigation[J]. Telemetry and Remote Sensing, 2026.
Cong Dianwei, Wu Fumei, Li Chonghui, et al. Technology and Research Progress of Autonomous Navigation for Cislunar Spacecraft[J]. Radio Engineering, 2025, 55(2): 317-322.
Dong Guangliang, Li Haitao, Hao Wanhong, et al. Construction and Technology Development of China's Deep Space TT&C System[J]. Journal of Deep Space Exploration, 2018, 5(2): 99-114.