The European Space Agency (ESA) is developing a new satellite-based navigation system called Moonlight, designed to enable precise positioning on and around the Moon. Scientists from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences are contributing to this groundbreaking project.
The Moonlight system will consist of four lunar orbiters (satellites), receivers in landers, rovers, and satellites, as well as establishing a ground network – reference stations, telescopes, and laser stations.The mission is scheduled to launch in 2031.
Before deployment, however, accurate positioning algorithms must be developed — a task taken on by a Polish team composed of Dr. Grzegorz Bury, Dr. Radosław Zajdel, and Prof. Krzysztof Sośnica. The group is responsible for designing and testing models that describe the motion of satellites in lunar orbit.
Unique Challenges in Lunar Orbit
Unlike Earth, the Moon presents unique challenges for satellite navigation. ESA has proposed highly elliptical orbits for its satellites. These orbits cause significant speed variations: satellites move much faster when closest to the Moon (pericenter) and slower when farther away (apocenter). Modeling satellite behavior in these conditions is especially difficult due to gravitational anomalies (e.g., mass concentrations or “mascons”) and variable non-gravitational forces.
“The orbital shape is not a perfect ellipse but is strongly distorted by disturbing forces. These forces become more dynamic as the satellite moves faster — especially in the pericenter, where precision modeling becomes a major challenge,” the Wrocław team explained.
To mitigate this, satellite orbits are designed so that satellites spend the least amount of time near the Moon’s surface and more time in the stable apocenter region. Still, ESA’s goal is ambitious: achieving high-precision positioning throughout the entire orbit, even in the most unpredictable areas.
Radiation: A Key Obstacle
One of the greatest obstacles in space missions is cosmic radiation. Unlike Earth, the Moon lacks a magnetic field to shield satellites from solar winds, cosmic rays, and solar flares. This exposure can severely impact onboard electronics — especially the atomic clocks essential for satellite navigation.
“Without atomic clocks, a navigation satellite cannot operate. Each orbiter must carry at least two to ensure redundancy. But cosmic radiation also remains a serious threat — there’s no magnetic shield around the Moon, so solar storms and flares pose a significant risk to the system,” the researchers emphasized.
This collaboration highlights Poland’s growing contribution to European and global space research.
Photo of the research team: (from left) Dr. Grzegorz Bury, Dr. Radoslaw Zajdel and Prof. Krzysztof Sosnica. Photo: Tomasz Lewandowski
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