NaviMoon - Earth Moon GNSS Spaceborne Receiver for In-Orbit Demonstration

Last Updated: 29/10/2024 07:34     Created at: 29/10/2024 07:34

Final Presentation of NAVISP Project EL1-039 "NaviMoon IOD" now available: 
On Wednesday October 24th, 2024, SpacePNT+ and EECL presented the results of the NAVISP EL1-039 project: “NaviMoon In-Orbit Demonstration”. This presentation covered the successful development and qualification of a high-sensitivity GNSS receiver for cis-lunar navigation. The NaviMoon receiver, represents a significant milestone in autonomous space navigation by extending GNSS-based positioning to the Moon’s orbit. The integration of NaviMoon into the ESA Lunar Pathfinder mission is approaching

The project began with the design and development of the NaviMoon Proto-Flight Model (PFM), based on SpacePNT’s receiver technology and EECL’s low-noise amplifier (LNA) design. NaviMoon builds on two earlier NAVISP initiatives: NaviLEO (EL2-006), and an in-depth system study (EL1-023) that set the stage for NaviMoon’s development. These projects enabled the team to address the challenges of capturing and processing weak GNSS signals in cis-lunar space. NaviMoon’s receiver achieves dual-frequency processing (GPS L1 and L5, Galileo E1 and E5a) and operates with a sensitivity tracking threshold as low as 15 dB-Hz. EECL’s external LNA, closely placed near the antenna, minimizes noise. Together, the receiver and LNA enable NaviMoon to capture and process faint signals effectively, creating position and velocity (PV) solutions on cis-lunar trajectories. 

Performance tests demonstrated that NaviMoon exceeded its target accuracy of one hundred meters. It achieved a 3D position RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of 42 meters, with velocity RMSE reduced to 0.02 m/s. Radiation tolerance testing validated NaviMoon’s robustness for navigation on cis-lunar trajectories.
NaviMoon is a transformative advancement in GNSS for deep-space applications, with in-orbit trials anticipated to confirm NaviMoon’s operational readiness. It will open new opportunities for GNSS-supported navigation on lunar missions.

The project was part of NAVISP Element 1, whose main objective is to generate innovative concepts, techniques, technologies and systems linked to the PNT sector, along the entire value chain.
The slides are accessible here.