The South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund has awarded a grant to @Safety from Space (SFC), for a Lunar Search and Rescue (LunaSAR) project. Their system aims to locate and rescue astronauts stranded in remote lunar areas, addressing a critical need in future space missions.
Safety from Space is developing LunaSAR as an internationally-compatible distress notification and tracking system architecture for use with lunar explorers in the Lunar South Pole region and cislunar space. The primary goal of LunaSAR is to provide persistent, reliable, and accurate distress notification with both Independent Location (non-PNT) and Encoded Location (PNT-enabled) capabilities. This comprehensive approach ensures robust safety measures for future lunar missions.
This project, developed in collaboration with NASA, The Mars Society, SmartSat CRC, UniSA, and Flinders University, seeks to create a lighter, more reliable radio beacon with extended battery life specifically designed for lunar environments.
However, a functional LunaSAR system requires more than just technology. It demands a comprehensive approach encompassing various crucial elements:
- International Cooperation:
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Pre-positioning of Assets
- Lunar SAR Simulations and Training
- Legal Considerations
- Standardization of communications protocols and frequencies.
Recent accomplishments in the LunaSAR field include agreements with the Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG) to use specific frequencies for Lunar Search and Rescue distress transmissions
As space agencies and private companies set their sights on establishing lunar bases, the development of resilient LunaSAR systems becomes paramount. These advancements not only enhance astronaut safety but also open doors for governmental and commercial engagement in service provisioning which is required for LunaSAR to work as intended. The standardization of message formats for SAR is also important so that systems from different suppliers can interoperate.