DSN/LunaNet Range-Doppler
Two-Way Range and Doppler from DSN/LunaNet
The DSN/LunaNet range-Doppler system uses two-way coherent radio measurements from Earth-based Deep Space Network stations and lunar orbital relays to provide absolute position fixes in the lunar reference frame. Implemented in software stored on radiation-hardened NOR flash and consuming 1 W of power, it achieves a range accuracy of 1 m and a velocity accuracy of 0.1 mm/s. Operating without a native global navigation satellite constellation, the system withstands the unshielded lunar radiation environment with an architecture designed for a 100-year operational lifetime and a mean time between failures of 500,000 hours.
Two-way coherent range and Doppler measurements from DSN and LunaNet (Lunar Pathfinder/LCRNS/Moonlight) providing absolute position fix in lunar reference frame.
Purpose
Two-way coherent range and Doppler measurements from DSN and LunaNet (Lunar Pathfinder/LCRNS/Moonlight) providing absolute position fix in lunar reference frame.
Context
Child of L2-NAV-LOC within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Two-way coherent ranging from L3-COM-EARTH-XBAND transponder
- ▸Range accuracy ~1 m at lunar distances
- ▸Doppler accuracy ~0.1 mm/s
- ▸Multiple ground/relay simultaneous fix improves geometry
- ▸LunaNet PNT service per LunaNet Interoperability Spec v5
Typical implementations
- ▸NASA DSN navigation service heritage
- ▸ESA Lunar Pathfinder PNT service
- ▸JAXA Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS)
- ▸Galileo GNSS sidelobe reception at Moon
Lunar considerations
- ▸Ranging accuracy good enough for absolute fix
- ▸LunaNet PNT service emerging as primary lunar nav reference
- ▸Continuous monitoring of ranging health
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Two-way coherent range and Doppler measurements from DSN and LunaNet (Lunar Pathfinder/LCRNS/Moonlight) providing absolute position fix in lunar reference frame. |
| range accuracy m | 1 |
| velocity accuracy mm per s | 0.1 |
Physical
| mass kg | 0 |
| materials | Code on rad-hard NOR flash |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 1 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
| mtbf hours | 500000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Absolute position update
- Velocity reference
Requires
- DSN two-way ranging
- LunaNet PNT broadcasts
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "DSN/LunaNet Range-Doppler" (L3-NAV-LOC-RANGE). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-NAV-LOC-RANGE
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.