NASA Studies Navigation for Moon Missions

摘要

NASA is evaluating navigation needs for the Artemis program,including precision navigation capabilities for a sustained presence on the Moon."Lunar missions provide the opportunity to test and refine novel space navigation techniques," said Ben Ashman,a navigation engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center."The Moon is a fascinating place to explore and can serve as a proving ground that expands our navigation toolkit for more distant destinations like Mars." Techniques being analyzed include the following.Radiometrics,Optimetrics and Laser Altimetry.These methods measure distances and velocity using electromagnetic transmissions-the foundation of space navigation since the launch of the first satellite.Radiometrics and optimetrics measure the distances and velocity between a spacecraft and ground antennas or other spacecraft using their radio links and infrared optical communications links,respectively.In laser altimetry and space laser ranging,a spacecraft or ground telescope reflects lasers off the surface of a celestial body or a specially designated reflector to judge distances.