Landing Guidance Controller
Powered-Descent Guidance and Control Software
The Landing Guidance Controller is powered-descent guidance and control software stored on radiation-hardened NOR flash memory, executing closed-loop trajectories for automated cargo deliveries. Operating in a vacuum and one-sixth gravity where atmospheric braking is absent, the system relies entirely on propulsive descent and automated divert maneuvers to achieve pinpoint touchdown within 10 meters of the target. The software utilizes convex optimization algorithms to calculate fuel-optimal descent paths. Consuming 2 watts during operation, the controller supports long-mission storage with a functional lifetime of 100 years and a mean time between failures of 500,000 hours.
Closed-loop guidance and control for powered descent and pinpoint landing of cargo deliveries near the Ark.
Purpose
Closed-loop guidance and control for powered descent and pinpoint landing of cargo deliveries near the Ark.
Context
Child of L2-NAV-LAND within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Convex optimization for fuel-optimal descent (CVXPY/SDP)
- ▸PDP guidance per NASA Apollo + modern equivalents
- ▸Divert maneuver if hazard detected
- ▸Pinpoint landing (~10 m of target) for cargo offload
- ▸Authenticated commands from L1-CDH
Typical implementations
- ▸NASA Apollo lander G&C heritage
- ▸SpaceX Falcon 9 booster landing (modern)
- ▸Blue Origin BE-7 lander guidance
Lunar considerations
- ▸Cargo deliveries during Ark expansion phase
- ▸Long-mission storage of cargo lander G&C software
- ▸Authenticated update via L3-COM-CRYPT-AUTH
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Closed-loop guidance and control for powered descent and pinpoint landing of cargo deliveries near the Ark. |
| landing accuracy m | 10 |
Physical
| mass kg | 0 |
| materials | Code on rad-hard NOR flash |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 2 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
| mtbf hours | 500000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Landing status + commands to cargo lander
Requires
- Safe-zone map
- Pose/velocity
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Landing Guidance Controller" (L3-NAV-LAND-GUIDE). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-NAV-LAND-GUIDE
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.