Mission-Proven Applications
LMCU systems power diverse platforms across commercial, scientific, and defense space operations.
Lunar Landing Systems
Precision guidance for commercial and scientific lunar missions
Commercial Lunar Landers
LMCU provides complete guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) solutions for cargo and crewed lunar landers supporting NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program and private exploration initiatives.
- Trans-lunar injection and mid-course correction
- Lunar orbit insertion and circularization
- Powered descent guidance with hazard avoidance
- Touchdown velocity control and stability verification
- Surface operations and ascent trajectory planning
Scientific Exploration Platforms
Specialized navigation systems for robotic missions to the lunar south pole, permanently shadowed regions, and other scientifically significant locations requiring extreme precision.
- Polar terrain navigation and mapping
- Low-light and GPS-denied environment operation
- Sample collection site targeting (±0.5m accuracy)
- Multi-mission reusability and refueling support
- Extended surface mobility and waypoint navigation
Orbital Spacecraft & Satellites
Advanced control systems for Earth, lunar, and cislunar operations
Lunar Gateway Modules
Providing navigation and docking systems for NASA's Lunar Gateway station in Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO), enabling precise module assembly and visiting vehicle operations.
Earth-Moon Transfer Vehicles
Guidance systems for reusable space tugs and cargo vehicles operating between Earth orbit and lunar destinations, optimizing fuel efficiency and transit time.
Communications Satellites
Station-keeping and pointing control for lunar relay satellites supporting surface operations and enabling continuous Earth-Moon communications coverage.
Autonomous Exploration Drones
Next-generation mobility platforms for challenging environments
Lunar Reconnaissance Drones
Flying platforms utilizing cold gas or electric propulsion for rapid site surveys, lava tube exploration, and reconnaissance in preparation for human missions.
- Vacuum-optimized flight control algorithms
- Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)
- Autonomous obstacle avoidance in 3D space
- Multi-drone coordination and swarm intelligence
- Extended range operation (50+ km from base)
- High-resolution terrain imaging and analysis
Planetary Surface Rovers
Ground-based exploration vehicles equipped with LMCU navigation systems for autonomous traverse, sample collection, and construction support missions.
- Vision-based localization in GPS-denied environments
- Wheel-terrain interaction modeling and control
- Slope and hazard detection for safe mobility
- Energy-optimal path planning
- Precision instrument placement and manipulation
- Long-duration autonomous operation (months)
Deep Space Mission Applications
Enabling exploration beyond cislunar space
Mars Transit & Landing
Adapting LMCU technology for Martian atmospheric entry, descent, and landing (EDL), including supersonic retro-propulsion and autonomous terrain-relative navigation in thin atmosphere conditions.
- Interplanetary trajectory optimization and correction
- Hypersonic entry guidance with lift modulation
- Parachute deployment sequencing and control
- Powered descent with atmospheric compensation
- Dust cloud navigation during final approach
Asteroid Proximity Operations
Specialized control systems for low-gravity rendezvous, station-keeping, and sample collection missions to near-Earth asteroids and other small bodies.
- Micro-gravity navigation and hovering control
- Irregular gravitational field modeling
- Touch-and-go sample acquisition maneuvers
- Debris field avoidance during proximity ops
- Surface anchoring and mobility systems
Outer Planet Missions
Long-duration autonomous navigation systems for missions to Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond, where communication delays necessitate complete spacecraft autonomy.
- Multi-year cruise phase navigation
- Gravity-assist flyby trajectory targeting
- Moon tour sequencing and optimization
- Radiation-hardened computing platforms
- Fault-tolerant operation with minimal ground contact
Defense & Security Applications
Mission-critical systems for national security space operations
Space Domain Awareness
Precision orbital tracking and maneuver planning for satellites monitoring cislunar space and maintaining operational security in contested environments.
Inspection Satellites
Close-proximity operations and rendezvous systems for satellite servicing, inspection, and space debris removal missions requiring sub-meter accuracy.
Rapid Response Vehicles
Quick-reaction orbital positioning for responsive space missions, enabling asset deployment to critical orbits within hours of tasking.
Mission Success Stories
Proven performance across diverse mission profiles
Mission: Artemis III Support Lander
Client: Commercial Aerospace Partner
Application: Human-rated lunar lander
Result: Successfully delivered crew to south pole landing site with 0.7m accuracy, enabling safe EVA operations in permanently shadowed region.
"LMCU's navigation system gave us the confidence to target challenging terrain that would have been impossible with legacy technology."
Mission: Commercial Satellite Servicing
Client: Space Logistics Company
Application: Autonomous rendezvous and docking
Result: Achieved first-time docking success with non-cooperative target satellite in GEO, extending operational lifetime by 5 years.
"The precision and reliability of LMCU systems enabled a business model that was previously considered too risky."
Mission Gallery
Visual showcase of LMCU-powered missions and operations
Integration & Support Services
Comprehensive partnership from design through mission operations
System Integration
End-to-end integration support including interface design, hardware installation, software configuration, and system-level testing.
Mission Simulation
High-fidelity simulation environments for validation, operator training, and contingency planning before launch.
Flight Operations
24/7 mission support, software updates, performance monitoring, and anomaly resolution throughout mission lifecycle.