On the Moon, the Lunar Retroreflector Array (LRA), whose network is planned to be used for spacecraft navigation in the future, was successfully tested for the first time. This was stated in an official message Web site NASA.
The experiment involved the NASA LRO lunar probe and the Indian Vikram lander in the south pole region of the moon near the Manzini crater. “Vikram” is equipped with a retroreflector – a small hemisphere with eight reflective elements.
LRO sent a laser beam from its altimeter at Vikram and received the reflected optical signal, proving that the method worked.
Sending laser pulses at an object and measuring the time it takes for the light to settle is a commonly used way to track the position of Earth-orbiting satellites from the ground. But scientists noted that using the reverse method to send laser pulses from a moving spacecraft to a stationary spacecraft to determine its exact position has many applications on the Moon.
“We have demonstrated that we can deploy our retroreflector to the surface from lunar orbit. “The next step will be to refine this technique so that it can become routine for future missions that want to use retroreflectors,” said task force leader Xiaoli Sun, who led the retroreflector development team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
NASA retroreflector authors will continue to use the LRO laser altimeter to clarify the location of landers and other targets on the lunar surface.
Previously at NASA said about the idea of covering the Moon with laser beacons for precise navigation while landing the spacecraft.