Lunar Navigation Constellation
This article is edited from: Shangguan Yong, Zheng Peng, Zhang Hua, et al. Research on the Current Status and Technical Development of Cislunar Space Navigation[J]. Journal of Telemetry and Remote Sensing, 2026.
This article author: Tianjiang Shuo
This article source: https://cislunarspace.cn
Background and Basic Principles
The Lunar Navigation Constellation is one of the four major technical paths for solving cislunar space navigation problems. It aims to build a lunar surface autonomous coverage network similar to Earth's satellite navigation system, achieving full lunar surface, all-time, high-precision positioning and navigation services.
Currently, the United States, European Union, and Japan have all initiated lunar navigation system planning. The United States plans to implement crewed lunar landing in 2027, and Japan has determined to send astronauts for lunar landing after 2028. However, no dedicated positioning and navigation system has been established on the lunar surface yet. The United States, Europe, and Japan are jointly advancing the "LunaNet" project to provide high-precision spatial position information for lunar astronauts and rovers.
Major International Plans
LunaNet: The U.S.-led lunar navigation system plan, designed to create a dedicated positioning system adapted to the lunar environment, supporting the positioning needs of lunar astronauts and rovers.
Moonlight Initiative: In October 2024, ESA signed a 126 million euro contract with European Space Communications to advance the development of an independent lunar navigation constellation. The Moonlight constellation consists of 5 lunar satellites, including 1 communication satellite weighing 1 ton and 4 navigation satellites based on Galileo navigation system technology. The plan is to formally implement in 2026, start preliminary services in 2028, and achieve full operational capability before 2030.
Japan's Lunar Surface Navigation System (LNSS): Plans to deploy 8 satellites in lunar orbit using two elliptical lunar frozen orbits to ensure continuous coverage of lunar polar regions such as the lunar south pole. The satellites weigh approximately 100 kg and are micro-satellites.
Chinese Solution
China's research team comprehensively evaluated relay communication, lunar surface navigation accuracy, and constellation construction and maintenance costs. Using orbital parameter optimization technology to globally optimize discrete and continuous variables to improve efficiency, they proposed a 21-satellite near-lunar constellation solution. Compared with LunaNet, Moonlight, and LNSS, the Chinese solution emphasizes sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Relying on the successful experience of the Queqiao series relay satellites, it provides a technical foundation for orbital design and operations.
Performance and Applications
| Metric | Performance |
|---|---|
| Positioning Accuracy | Sub-meter to 1 meter across the full lunar surface |
| Coverage | Full lunar surface + entire near-lunar space |
| System Reliability | High |
| Construction Period | Long (5-10 years) |
| Cost | Highest |
The Lunar Navigation Constellation is the ultimate solution for long-term lunar presence and large-scale development, offering the highest positioning accuracy and optimal reliability and coverage. However, it requires launching multiple satellites and completing constellation networking, orbit maintenance, and inter-satellite communication, with the highest technical difficulty and cost.
Development Positioning
The Lunar Navigation Constellation is the long-term development direction, oriented toward lunar base construction, resource development, and normalized residence. Key technology development in constellation configuration, orbital control, and inter-satellite links needs to be carried out in advance.
Related Concepts
- Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO)
- Earth GNSS Weak Signal Navigation
- Earth-Moon Hybrid Navigation
- Inter-Satellite Link Navigation
- Queqiao Relay Satellite
References
- Shangguan Yong, Zheng Peng, Zhang Hua, et al. Research on the Current Status and Technical Development of Cislunar Space Navigation[J]. Journal of Telemetry and Remote Sensing, 2026.
- Chen Shiyu, Ni Yanshuo, Peng Jing. Orbit Design Methods for Near-Lunar Space Constellations[J]. Chinese Space Science and Technology, 2024, 44(3): 15-29.
- Wang Shuai. Research on the Development of Foreign Cislunar Space Communication and Navigation Service Systems[J]. Spacecraft Engineering, 2024, 33(3): 88-94.