The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has chosen Spirent Communications to supply an innovative lunar PNT simulation solution, the company reported. This ground-breaking technology will help JAXA’s lunar exploration efforts and aid in the creation of vital navigational infrastructure for upcoming lunar missions.
Before lunar PNT simulation services are put into operation on the moon, JAXA can model them in a controlled laboratory setting using Spirent’s PNT X solution.
This capability is essential for providing scalability for future space exploration while testing and verifying mission-critical navigation equipment for lunar missions in accordance with the emergent LunaNet specification, including flexible S-band frequency options.
JAXA will now be able to test new S-band signals by utilizing PNT X and its unique signal definition features. Crucially, this will allow technicians to evaluate the possible performance of receivers that use Lunar PNT signals alone in the S-band or in conjunction with the current L-band GNSS infrastructure on Earth.
Significant performance requirements are placed on the simulation in order to simulate this mix of signals with the accuracy and realism needed for such a crucial application, and Spirent’s strong, specialized architecture meets these needs.
The partnership is another significant development in Spirent and JAXA’s long-standing partnership. Spirent simulation technology was chosen by JAXA in 2011 to test the functionality of early Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) receivers. Since then, Spirent simulators have enabled further QZSS upgrades and improvements.
For different space agencies creating lunar constellations, satellite and receiver developers, and organizations preparing lunar missions or seeking to establish more PNT infrastructure on the Moon, Spirent’s lunar PNT simulation system opens up new options.
Leadership Comments
“JAXA’s lunar exploration initiatives require advanced simulation capabilities to ensure our navigation systems perform reliably in the challenging lunar environment,” said Dr. Masaya Murata, Lunar PNT Lead at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. “Spirent’s lunar PNT simulation solution provides us with the flexible and high-performance testing platform we need to develop next-generation navigation technologies before deployment on the Moon. This collaboration represents an important step forward in establishing the infrastructure necessary for sustainable lunar exploration and future human presence on the lunar surface.”
“Supporting agencies such as JAXA in their innovative work to advance space exploration has been at the core of what Spirent has been doing for nearly 40 years,” said Ricardo Verdeguer Moreno, lead product manager at Spirent. “By delivering the flexibility needed for next-generation applications like lunar navigation without compromising the precision and reliability associated with Spirent’s PNT solutions, we continue to be the partner of choice for technological leaders.”
“As space exploration continues to advance, Spirent remains at the forefront of providing the simulation tools needed to test and validate critical navigation technologies before deployment,” said Verdeguer Moreno.
For Further Info: CLICK HERE
