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The Australian Space Agency has awarded a $5.2 million Moon to Mars Initiative: Demonstrator Mission Grant to AI robotics innovator company Advanced Navigation.
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The grant is expected to support NASA’s endeavour to explore the moon and Mars by accelerating development and production of LiDAV, spacecraft autonomy, and space navigation.
Advanced Navigation will deliver a space-qualified light detection, altimetry and velocimetry sensor called LUNA (laser measurement unit for navigational aid) to US-based space systems company Intuitive Machines as part of NASA’s ongoing Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
LUNA technology is expected to be demonstrated on board Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander during the final descent en route to the lunar surface and improve the safety and reliability of autonomous landing manoeuvres before being offered commercially for integration into landers from 2025–26.
Advanced Navigation co-founder and chief executive officer Xavier Orr said the technology will enable reliable navigation on the lunar surface and serve as a catalyst for autonomous space exploration and transportation.
“We are humbled the Australian Space Agency has awarded Advanced Navigation a Demonstrator Mission Grant as it represents a pivotal milestone in the company’s trajectory, as we embark to be among the first Australian technologies to reach the moon,” he said.
“Our work with Intuitive Machines will enhance Australia’s sovereign space capabilities, further unlock the commercial space economy, and ignite a new era of innovation as we push the boundaries of scientific discoveries and exploration on the moon and beyond.”
LUNA delivers precise three-dimensional velocity and altitude information relative to the lunar surface to replace visual references that can fail due to lack of light, dust, and other obscurities.
Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo said upcoming space technology will improve the safety and reliability of complex autonomous landing manoeuvres, and in turn, improve confidence in exploring the lunar surface.
“The projects being supported show just some of the many ways that space technologies are improving how we live and how we work,” he said.
“By helping Australian organisations like Advanced Navigation to develop their space heritage, they can break into new markets and supply chains and take their innovative Aussie technology to the world.
“That will help them to grow, keep their ideas in Australia and generate more employment opportunities here.”
Advanced Navigation has previously been a recipient of the Moon to Mars: Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grant from the Australian Space Agency.
The company will be collaborating with Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie University to design, fabricate, and qualify LUNA’s optical head assembly to survive the environmental conditions of space. Advanced Navigation will also be supported by Australian company Transparent Earth Geophysics.
