SkyMage: Lunar Positioning and Navigation Network

SkyMage is a ranged intelligence system, endorsed by stakeholders at AFRL, that offloads the heavy, power-hungry and often single use pieces of PNT hardware from cislunar spacecraft into a dedicated and shared sensor array. This sensor array is a layered architecture with multiple types of orbital units and lunar surface-based elements. SkyMage has an Internet-of-Things (IoT) like infusion approach, where each piece of technology is individually capable as a stand alone solution or as part of a broader technology suite. SkyMage is conceptually similar to the terrestrial Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) for aviation navigation which supplements the existing Global Positioning System (GPS) for all phases of flight and can be paired with a Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS), a ground-based network of sensors for precision landing enhancements in and around the terminal area. SkyMage is comprised of 3 main parts: 1) Passive Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS), delivered by Masten’s XL-1 spacecraft from low lunar orbit to strategic surface locations, to mark keep-out zones or cleared landing zones for lunar landers. 2) Active UGS are discrete nodes that provide precise ranging and spatial positioning data to lunar landers. Active UGS improve PNT, remove on-board lander hardware, and enable landing in the dark. 3) Orbital Arrays support SDA capabilities and enhance data resolution of ground sensors. SDA capabilities begin with outer layers of orbital assets using multispectral active imaging, visible and infrared, and incorporated ranging hardware. Outer layers provide detection/ tracking of inbound objects, while inner layers provide persistent reconnaissance and orbital management to round out the defensive space control posture. All elements of the proposed architecture are baselined on high TRL terrestrial systems.