Lunar Navigation Demonstration Satellite
A 100 kg satellite ArkEdge is building for JAXA to test a GPS-like positioning signal from lunar orbit, received by equipment on the Moon's surface.
Why it matters
Rovers, landers and astronauts will need to know exactly where they are on the Moon, where there is no GPS. This is Japan's demonstrator for a lunar navigation system designed to work with the international LunaNet standards.
How the technology works
The satellite carries a lunar navigation payload that broadcasts timing and ranging signals following the LunaNet signal-in-space standard. Receivers on the surface will check signal quality and positioning accuracy.
To fix the satellite's own orbit and time, ArkEdge and JAXA developed a method that processes faint signals from Earth's GNSS satellites on board.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction