NASA has made history by successfully receiving and tracking GPS signals on the Moon for the first time. This achievement was accomplished on March 3rd.
Washington: NASA achieved a groundbreaking milestone in space exploration by successfully receiving and tracking GPS signals on the Moon for the first time. This success was realized on March 3rd when the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) successfully detected Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals on the lunar surface. This historic achievement was a joint effort between NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
How will this system work?
GNSS signals are typically used for navigation, location, and timing on Earth's surface. NASA's successful tracking of these signals on the Moon demonstrates the potential for future astronauts to utilize GPS-like capabilities on the lunar surface. This technology will provide Artemis mission astronauts with precise location, movement, and time data while on the Moon.
How did LuGRE reach the Moon?
LuGRE reached the Moon via Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander, which successfully landed on March 2nd. It carried ten crucial NASA instruments, including LuGRE. Immediately following the landing, scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (Maryland) activated the payload and initiated the first scientific experiments.
GPS Data from the Moon
LuGRE achieved a historic milestone by detecting its first GNSS signal approximately 225,000 miles from Earth. This receiver will continuously track GPS data on the Moon for the next 14 days, allowing for a thorough assessment of the technology's utility. The success of this test represents a significant step towards making future human activities on the Moon safer and more efficient.
Astronauts will now be able to determine their location without requiring additional ground support, increasing the success rate of lunar missions. Furthermore, this marks the first successful deployment of Italian space hardware on the Moon, a significant achievement for the Italian Space Agency.
