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NASA and Italian Space Agency test future lunar navigation technology


Published on 2025-01-14 09:22:18 - MSN
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  • As the Artemis campaign leads humanity to the moon and eventually Mars, NASA is refining its state-of-the-art navigation and positioning technologies to guide a new era of lunar exploration.

NASA, in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), has successfully tested a new technology called the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) during a flight test on a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft. This technology is designed to enhance the precision of lunar landings by providing accurate velocity and altitude measurements, crucial for navigating the challenging lunar terrain. The test, which took place on February 15, 2024, involved the NDL operating in space for the first time, demonstrating its capability to measure velocity and range with high precision. This development is part of NASA's broader Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon, and underscores the importance of advanced navigation systems for future lunar missions. The successful test marks a significant step forward in ensuring safer and more accurate landings on the Moon, paving the way for more complex space exploration endeavors.

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