The Moon Gets Its Own Communication and Navigation Network in 2025
Lockheed Martin is going to build and launch(Opens in a new window) a constellation of small lunar satellites, which will allow for uninterrupted communication with Earth and better navigation on the Moon.
The project is called Parsec(Opens in a new window) and it's being handled by Lockheed Martin's new, lunar-focused commercial subsidiary Crescent Space(Opens in a new window). The goal of Parsec is to solve the problem of reliable communications once a permanent outpost is established on the Moon using a novel cislunar communications network.
Lockheed Martin is building a number of small satellites for Parsec using its SmallSat platform known as Curio(Opens in a new window). They will operate using the SmartSat(Opens in a new window) software framework and be controlled with the COMPASS/Horizon(Opens in a new window) mission planning software.
The satellites will act as an orbiting relay network allowing complete coverage of the Moon's surface and a seamless connection back to Earth. An extra benefit of the network is it will double as an accurate lunar positioning system, so every object (and hazard) on the surface can be precisely located.
Lockheed Martin intends to launch the first Parsec satellites and have the network operational in 2025, at which point it will be owned and operated by Crescent Space. Once the network is complete, Parsec will be expanded as a service to support "more science, exploration and commerce in deep space."
NASA's Moon landing is scheduled for some point in 2025, so there's is a chance Parsec could be operational before astronauts set foot on the lunar surface. I suspect both NASA and Lockheed Martin hope that's the case because having actual humans using it in anger will be an
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