NASA Begins Using Laser Technology to Accurately Determine Lunar Lander Locations
NASA has started using Laser Retroreflective Arrays (LRAs) to enhance the accuracy of locating lunar landers. LRAs, which are inexpensive, small, and lightweight, are attached to landers sent to the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) initiative.
Each LRA device consists of a small aluminum hemisphere weighing only 0.7 ounces, equipped with eight corner cube retroreflectors made of fused silica glass. These retroreflectors reflect laser light from various angles, allowing scientists to accurately determine the distance between spacecraft by measuring the time taken for the light to return to its source.
The LRAs act as navigation markers that work with orbiting satellites to determine the precise location of landers on the lunar surface. In addition to location determination, they also play a role in docking spacecraft, including cargo spacecraft for the International Space Station. The LRAs can be detected by lidars on spacecraft even from long distances, enabling accurate range and approach speed measurements, even without sunlight. This feature is particularly useful for docking at nighttime or in dark areas near the lunar South Pole.
LRAs have potential for crewed missions, particularly in the search for resources such as water ice in permanently shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole. They can be easily incorporated into scientific missions without posing significant risks. The use of laser ranging can also track the location of orbiters around the Moon, creating a network for determining the precise positions of key landers and points of interest, contributing to more comprehensive scientific research on the Moon.
Currently, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is the only spacecraft equipped with laser-ranging capability orbiting the Moon. LRO has successfully ranged to the LRA on the Indian Space Research Organization’s Vikram lander and will continue to measure the distance to LRAs on future landers.
The adoption of LRAs by NASA signifies a significant advancement in accurately determining the locations of lunar landers. This technology not only facilitates navigation and precise docking but also expands the scope of scientific research on the Moon. With continued advancements and collaborations, NASA is paving the way for a new era of space exploration.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The use of Laser Retroreflective Arrays (LRAs) by NASA will greatly enhance the accuracy of locating lunar landers, enabling precise navigation and docking. This technology expands the scope of scientific research on the Moon and paves the way for future space exploration.
