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TubeNet: A Scalable Network for Lunar Lava Tubes

Zachary A. Hill

University of Southern California

ASTE 527 – Space Studio Architecting

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Background

  • We are working to establish a permanent presence on the moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers.
  • We need to establish a strong communications infrastructure on and under the lunar surface.

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Planned Constellations

  • JAXA’s Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS)
  • NASA’s Lunar Communications Relay and Navigation System (LCRNS)
  • ESA’s Moonlight
  • Crescent Space’s (Lockheed Martin) Parsec
  • SpaceX’s Starlink
  • Intuitive Machines’ Lunar Data Network (LDN)

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Lunar Surface Comms

  • NASA Lunar LTE Studies (LunarLiTES)
  • Nokia Bell Labs will conduct the first test of cellular connectivity on the lunar surface during the IM-2 mission.
  • 4G/LTE capabilities will be tested between the lander and Micro-Nova (a deployable hopper robot)

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Rationale

  • A reliable communications network will be needed to support the current mission plans for the moon and future habitation missions.
  • An easy to install and scalable underground communications network will be needed for lunar lava tube exploration and habitation.

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Communications Hubs

  • High gain antenna for rapid communications with the satellite constellation.
  • Fiber optic switch to eventually allow for multiple fiber optic runs.
  • 4G or 5G antennas to allow for wireless communications on the lunar surface around the hub.
  • Solar array or RTG to power the hubs depending on the location and access to sunlight.
  • Additionally, can be used to refine the orbit determination process for the constellation to help make it more accurate.

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Access Points

  • Early access points will be cheap and easy to transport.
  • Use AI to automatically connect to each other and optimize the network.
  • Backhaul connections to the Hub will be initially over low powered signal and then upgraded to fiber optic cable.
  • Dropped on the tube floor, bolted to the cave walls, or built-in to stationary equipment or habitation units.
  • Sensors added, as needed, to assist with additional investigation of the lava tubes (i.e. seismic activity, radiation, temperature, etc).

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Phase 0:�Pre-Deployment

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Communications hubs land near Lava tubes and establish communications

Access points are staged within the lava tubes

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Phase I:�Initial Network

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Backhaul to hub through low powered signal

Battery powered and wireless backhaul between access points

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Phase II:�Complete Network

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Backhaul to hub via fiber cable

Access points are bolted to the walls

Access points are integrated into other equipment and habitation units

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Merits and Limitations

  • Allow for a redundant communications network within the lunar lava tubes.
  • Assists with research and exploration efforts within the lunar lava tubes.
  • The system is easily scalable for the future habitation on and under the lunar surface.
  • Reliant on the satellite constellation for communications with Earth
  • Initial concept is reliant on battery life until a constant power source is available.

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Future Studies

  • In-depth analysis of the access point wireless signals inside lava tubes and effects of radiation on the low powered wireless signals.
  • Stress testing the communications network to determine the upper limit for number of concurrent devices.

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Questions?

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References

  • https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/artemis_plan-20200921.pdf?emrc=f43185
  • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224082759_In-Cave_Wireless_Communication_System
  • https://utilitiesone.com/networks-for-subterranean-communication-caves-and-underground-structures
  • https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/clps/nasa-intuitive-machines-announce-landing-site-location-for-lunar-drill/
  • https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/trecms/pdf/AD1169371.pdf
  • https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/editorial/2022/05/nts-3-transforming-pnt-21st-century-warfighter

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References

  • https://www.intuitivemachines.com/lunar-data-services
  • https://crescentspace.com/#parsec
  • https://tempo.gsfc.nasa.gov/projects/LCRNS
  • https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/icg/2022/ICG16/WG-B/ICG16_WG-B_03.pdf
  • https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/icg/2021/ICG15/20.pdf
  • https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20080015374/downloads/20080015374.pdf
  • https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/scan/lunar-lte-studies-lunarlites/

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