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WG3K > ANS 13.04.25 05:40z 17 Lines 2749 Bytes #13 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS096.3
Read: GUEST
Subj: LuGRE Demonstrates Viability of GPS Navigation on the Moon
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Sent: 250406/0320Z 15951@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
NASA and the Italian Space Agency have achieved a historic milestone with the successful conclusion of the Blue Ghost mission, which delivered the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) to the Moon. LuGRE became the first technology demonstration to acquire and track Earth-based navigation signals from the lunar surface, proving that Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals-including GPS and Galileo-can be used to support autonomous navigation on the Moon.
The ability to receive and process GNSS signals approximately 225,000 miles from Earth opens new possibilities for future lunar and deep space missions. By reducing reliance on Earth-based tracking, missions like NASA's Artemis program could benefit from real-time, onboard navigation systems similar to those used on Earth.
LuGRE was delivered by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, which touched down on the Moon on March 2nd. Science operations began shortly after landing, and by 2 a.m. EST on March 3rd, the LuGRE payload had successfully acquired and tracked GNSS signals from the Moon's surface, achieving a navigation fix and marking a first in space exploration.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NASA-Succesfully-...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NASA-Succesfully-Aquires-GNSS-on-Moon.jpg
Artist's illustration of the three main GNSS records set by the LuGRE payload on Blue Ghost. [Credit: NASAhttps://www.nasa.gov//Dave Ryan]
The Blue Ghost mission operated for 14 days, completing its objectives before the onset of lunar night. During that time, LuGRE functioned in near-continuous mode, gathering valuable data and demonstrating the viability of GNSS-based navigation on the Moon. The mission also marked a milestone for the Italian Space Agency, as LuGRE was its first hardware to operate successfully on the lunar surface.
In addition to its surface accomplishments, LuGRE set multiple records during its journey. On January 21st, it acquired GNSS signals at a record-breaking altitude of 209,900 miles from Earth-surpassing the previous high set by NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission. The payload later received signals from 243,000 miles away in lunar orbit on February 20th, confirming that GNSS signals can be used not only on the Moon but throughout cislunar space.
LuGRE was developed through a partnership involving NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the Italian Space Agency, Italian industry partner Qascom, and Politecnico di Torino. The mission's success demonstrates the growing potential of Earth-based navigation systems to support autonomous space exploration well beyond Earth orbit.
[ANS thanks the Katherine Schauer, NASAhttps://www.nasa.gov/, for the above information]
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