A report on the latest developments in lunar navigation from the European Space Agency (ESA).

The Lunar Pathfinder (LP) satellite, which is being manufactured by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), will enter the integration and testing phase and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.The LP satellite's primary mission is to provide communications services in lunar orbit, which are essential for future lunar exploration missions. It is also equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver to demonstrate the precision with which its orbital position is determined.

An important role in providing precision navigation for lunar exploration is played by Septentrio, a company specialising in the design, manufacture and sale of high-precision GNSS chips, modules and receivers. Its products, particularly the Septentrio Mosaic GNSS module, are recognised for delivering centimetre-level positioning performance in challenging environments. This multi-band, multi-constellation GPS/GNSS receiver features a low-power surface-mount module design that supports all current and future GNSS satellite signals for mass-market applications such as robotics and autonomous driving systems

The European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Moonbeam programme, which aims to extend communications links and satellite navigation coverage to the Moon, will be influenced by the results of the LP satellite's GNSS demonstration. The first phase of the programme consists of testing the use of current Earth orbit-based satellite navigation signals around the Moon. A baseline service and system requirements review has begun, and the first Moonbeam navigation spacecraft is scheduled for launch in 2028 to validate overall technology and performance. Three more spacecraft are planned to be launched by 2031 to provide full GNSS-like lunar navigation services, such as surface positioning accuracy better than 10 metres and landing accuracy better than 50 metres.

In terms of international cooperation, ESA is providing several key systems for NASA's Artemis human return to the Moon programme. These include a flight model of the HALO Lunar Communication System (HLCS) developed for the HALO module, which is currently in the integration phase.HALO, together with the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), will be one of the first elements of the Lunar Gateway. Lunar Gateway is an international space station that will orbit the Moon as part of the Artemis programme.

ESA is also providing several of its own service modules for the Artemis programme, including the I-Hab habitation module and the ESPRIT communications module.Development of the I-Hab habitation module is underway and is now approaching a critical design review at the end of 2025, with a launch scheduled for 2028.The ESPRIT communications module will service the Lunar Gateway's living quarters, and will now also provide cargo upload and on-orbit storage capabilities. A preliminary design review is scheduled for 2025 and launch is scheduled for 2030.

These plans and missions demonstrate that human exploration and use of the Moon is entering a new phase involving more advanced technologies, broader international cooperation, and long-term planning for future deep space exploration. By incorporating high-precision positioning technologies, such as the Septentrio Mosaic GNSS module, future lunar exploration missions will be able to navigate and position themselves with unprecedented accuracy.