Simulation of lunar orbits and inter-satellite links

Description of field of research

Exploration of the Moon has been identified by several space agencies, including the NASA, ESA, etc., to be in the front line of the space race for the next decade, facilitated by the emerging sciences of machine learning, sensory technology, and robotics. NASA’s Artemis programs are undertaking lunar missions for cargo delivery, sample return and scientific and technology demonstrations. As a founding member of the Artemis Accords, Australia is committed to tripling the size of its space workforce by 2030 with initiatives such as Moon-to-Mars, in which an Australian-made, semi-autonomous rover is planned for the Moon. Positioning, navigation, and timing services in the cislunar space will play an integral part in realising such goals. 

This project aims to simulate different types of lunar orbits, including near rectilinear halo orbits, distant retrograde orbits and elliptical lunar frozen orbits, and inter-satellite links, including range and bearing angles, via high-fidelity models. These models will facilitate further development on multi-satellite orbit determination and time synchronisation for the lunar navigation satellite systems (similar to Earth’s GPS system) under development by NASA and ESA via inter-satellite links.