GNSS Sidelobe Signal Navigation

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

A technique using sidelobe radiation signals from navigation satellite antennas to provide navigation services for high-orbit spacecraft. GNSS main lobe signals primarily cover Earth's surface and near-Earth space (below approximately 6,000 km altitude); above this altitude, GNSS receivers mainly capture sidelobe signals. Sidelobe signals are characterized by low energy, few visible satellites, poor dilution of precision, and large signal dynamic range. The paper notes that foreign ultra-high-sensitivity GNSS receivers can capture sidelobe signals at distances up to 400,000 km, NASA's Deep Space Gateway mission plans GNSS navigation at the Earth-Moon L2 point, and ESA's Luna-Nav project also considers GNSS for lunar exploration navigation.

Application Value

This concept plays an important role in trajectory optimization and mission planning applications.

References

  • 丛佃伟 等 - 2025 - 地月空间航天器自主导航技术及研究进展
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Contributors: ouyangjiahong, Ou Yang Jiahong