Beidou-like satellite navigation system for the Moon? Chinese scientists have developed a possible route

Although the document does not specify a construction timeline, China aims to send astronauts to the moon by 2030 and build a research base at the lunar south pole with international partners around 2035.

“Our study presented a roadmap for assembling such a constellation step by step, extending its coverage from the lunar south pole region to the entire Moon.”

02:01

China’s Chang’e-6 probe lands on far side of Moon to bring rock samples back to Earth

China’s Chang’e-6 probe lands on far side of Moon to bring rock samples back to Earth

These systems typically include between 20 and 35 satellites and have an accuracy of a few meters. Each satellite emits radio signals, allowing the user to determine its position and time using a combination of signals from at least four satellites.

In the study, Peng and his team evaluated three major factors of a lunar navigation system: “quad coverage” of receiving signals from at least four satellites at any time, navigation accuracy, and construction and maintenance costs.

01:57

China’s Chang’e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from the far side of the Moon

China’s Chang’e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from the far side of the Moon

In the second phase, by adding nine satellites and two types of orbits, the constellation could provide full-time navigation in the lunar south pole region and support 24-hour communication between Earth and any location on the Moon.

In the final phase, by placing a total of 21 satellites in four types of orbits, the complete constellation could provide relatively accurate positioning of any location on the lunar surface more than 70 percent of the time.

China has developed and deployed two communication relay satellites, Queqiao-1 and Queqiao-2, in near-moon space to support its historic lunar exploration missions in recent years.

One such project is the Japanese Lunar Navigation Satellite System, proposed in 2022. It will consist of eight satellites orbiting the Moon in highly elliptical orbits, providing communications, positioning, and navigation services for the lunar south pole region.