NASA to Establish Moon Lighthouse to Aid Astronauts and Robots

NASA is planning to establish a “lighthouse” on the lunar surface to guide astronauts and robots during their exploration of the Moon. This innovative technology, recently tested by NASA scientists, is designed to provide real-time data to both astronauts and robotic explorers.

The space agency successfully tested an autonomous navigation system called the Lunar Node 1 (LN-1) demonstrator on Odysseus, the lander developed by Intuitive Machines, which landed near the Moon’s south pole on February 22. According to NASA, this system can connect orbiters, landers, and astronauts on the Moon, enabling them to digitally verify their positions relative to other ground stations, networked spacecraft, and rovers.

Scientists believe this “lighthouse” will enhance safety for explorers and support the establishment of sustainable lunar bases. Odysseus landed in the Malapert A impact crater, close to the lunar south pole.

NASA explained that the Lunar Node-1 system can improve navigation and communication relays, surface nodes, and offer increased robustness and capability to various users both in orbit and on the Moon’s surface.

“We’ve lit a temporary beacon on the lunar shore,” said Evan Anzalone, LN-1 principal investigator at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. He added that the goal is to create a sustainable local network of lighthouses to help spacecraft and ground crews explore safely and confidently.

The scientists tested the LN-1 system with two 15-minute transmissions from the lunar surface. Data from these transmissions was collected using the Deep Space Network, a massive radio antenna array used for deep-space communication.

Originally, the LN-1 was planned to transmit data until Odysseus was powered down on February 29. However, the duration was shortened due to the tilted orientation of the lander. Throughout the translunar journey of Odysseus, the Marshall team conducted daily tests on the LN-1 beacon.