Lockheed Martin, the aerospace and defense company, announced that it has launched a new subsidiary to provide infrastructure-as-a-service for lunar missions. The new company, called Crescent Space Services LLC, aims to offer a direct line of communication and navigation services between Earth and the Moon.
Crescent Space Services to Provide Uninterrupted Communication for Lunar Missions
One of the main challenges for lunar missions is maintaining uninterrupted communication between Earth, the Moon, and spacecraft in lunar orbit or on its surface. To address this issue, Crescent Space Services will operate its own network of satellites in lunar orbit called Parsec. The constellation of small communication satellites will provide critical positioning, timing, and navigation services for lunar missions. This network will enable uninterrupted communication between Earth and the lunar missions.
Lockheed Martin’s Role in Lunar Infrastructure
Lockheed Martin filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch and operate 230 space stations, or user terminals, on the surface of the Moon, in addition to the satellites. Customers for these services include a mix of commercial, NASA, and other government missions.
Crescent Space Services aims to leverage reliable technical heritage from Lockheed Martin while combining that with the speed and agility of a commercial service platform to deliver an array of essential services for lunar operations. The company intends to offer additional services in the future to further enable science, exploration, and commerce at the Moon.
The Future of Lunar Missions
Over 100 missions are expected to go to the Moon in the next decade. Many of them will require communication or navigation services like those offered by Crescent Space Services. Private missions like ispace’s lunar lander have also emerged demanding reliable lunar communication services.
NASA’s crewed Artemis moon landings are aimed at sustaining a permanent human presence on the Moon as well. Future missions may require the help of the Parsec satellites to relay signals back to Earth. Multiple communication and navigation systems may be necessary to ensure uninterrupted signals while astronauts are on the Moon.
Crescent Space Services is considering providing other lunar infrastructure services such as power or mobility in the long term for prospective customers on the surface of the Moon. The company is also researching plans for extending its operations beyond the Moon to offer communication services for Mars.
Conclusion
Lockheed Martin’s Crescent Space Services subsidiary is well-positioned to address one of the main challenges facing lunar missions; continuous and reliable communication and navigation. The Parsec network will provide a direct line of communication between Earth and the Moon, making it easier for lunar missions to operate. As commercial space ventures emerge, the new company’s forethought into building a network of infrastructure service offerings at early stages could potentially take hold and secure a larger stake in space activities beyond even our nearest companion in space.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
