GPS on the moon: Spanish firm launches lunar navigation system
Spanish technology company GMV has unveiled a GPS-like navigation system for the moon that aims to make lunar missions as intuitive as a drive across town with apps such as Google Maps or Waze.
Called LUPIN, the project is part of a programme by the European Space Agency to test new positioning, navigation and timing techniques as interest in lunar surface exploration picks up again, whether for scientific research, potential mining opportunities or even future tourism.
"With this software, we bring Europe closer to establishing a presence of humans on the moon and, potentially, this would be a stepping stone towards Mars exploration or human presence on Mars," Steven Kay, the project's director, told Reuters.
The new technology was put to the test in the otherworldly landscapes of Fuerteventura - one of Spain's Canary Islands - where GMV conducted field trials with the prototype in a part of the Earth that bears some resemblance to the lunar surface.
By using signals similar to GPS from moon-orbiting satellites, LUPIN would allow rovers and astronauts to pinpoint their location on the moon in real time.
Currently, navigating the Earth's largest natural satellite is difficult, as spacecraft on its surface have to rely on complex calculations and data relayed from Earth, which is neither quick nor precise.
"Communication depends on direct visibility with Earth or the use of relay satellites in lunar orbit, which create communicative shadow zones and latency times that hinder immediate decision-making," GMV said in a statement.
The lack of real-time updates on changes in the moon's terrain caused by recent impacts or lunar dust movements also hinder ground trips on the satellite.
The company wants to combine existing lunar cartography with information gleaned from moon-orbiting satellites targeting dark spots, such as the lunar south pole and the "far side", the area generally in shadow.
"We want these rovers to map the surface of the moon in a fast and safe way so that astronauts can return in a few years, work there and set up permanent bases," said GMV's head of strategy, Mariella Graziano.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Irish researcher joins €1.7bn hunt for Einstein's ‘ripples in space-time'
This work is part of the European Space Agency's €1.74bn Lisa (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission to deploy the first gravitational wave detector in space to detect the ripples. Gravitational waves have opened up a new way of observing the universe, according to said Barry Wardell, associate professor of mathematics and statistics at UCD. Prof Wardell has been awarded a €2.5m Advanced European Research Council Grant to study gravitational waves within the Lisa mission. Until recently, scientists' understanding of the universe came mostly from light – in its visible, radio or X-ray forms. The problem with relying on this, according to Prof Wardell, is that light cannot access all regions of space, especially near black holes, or the moments right after the Big Bang. 'Gravitational waves, by contrast, travel virtually untouched across the cosmos, carrying information about the most extreme, energetic events in existence,' he said. 'This lets us peer into environments we could never reach with telescopes alone.' By operating in space, the Lisa detector will be far away from all possible interfering 'noise' on Earth. 'We will be able to 'hear' signals from some of the most extreme events in the cosmos, including black holes the size of our Sun spiralling into supermassive black holes millions of times larger,' Prof Wardell said. For almost 100 years, scientists could only assume that gravitational waves existed, without having observed them directly, relying on Einstein's theories. They were first detected in 2015 in a dramatic discovery that led to the three researchers responsible together receiving the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Studying gravitational waves can help scientists answer questions like how galaxies and black holes form and develop over time. Prof Wardell will be working as part of an international network of scientists. 'What was the universe like in its earliest moments, before light could even travel freely?' he said. 'Gravitational waves are like messengers from those inaccessible corners of time and space.' Getting answers is a highly complex challenge that requires the use of advanced mathematics, supercomputers, and AI. 'While Einstein's predictions have held up for over a century, we've never been able to probe them in environments like merging black holes before,' Prof Wardell said. 'Gravitational wave detections could eventually reveal where his theory breaks down, pointing us toward new physics that might unify gravity with quantum mechanics – one of the biggest unsolved problems in science.' Yet how is all this relevant to our earthbound lives? 'Gravitational waves might sound far removed from everyday life,' Prof Wardell said. 'But even for ordinary people, they matter more than it first seems. 'This is a story of curiosity: our drive to understand where we come from, how the universe works, and what fundamental forces shape our reality.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Revealed: Nissan takes the covers off their new 2026 Leaf
Today at 11:36 Nissan has taken the wraps off the third-generation Leaf, unveiling a complete redesign that sees the electric vehicle move from compact hatchback to aerodynamic crossover, with a substantial increase in driving range and a focus on real-world usability. Set to go on sale in Europe in spring 2026, the Leaf was first launched in 2010, when it made history as the world's first mass-market electric vehicle. To date, Nissan has sold close to 700,000 units globally. There will be two battery sizes to choose from: a 52kWh unit offering up to 436km WLTP, and a larger 75kWh pack capable of up to 604km. Nissan claims that the longer-range version can recharge up to 417 km in 30 minutes via DC fast charging at 150 kW. The new Leaf also introduces intelligent battery thermal management, which works in conjunction with Google Maps to precondition the battery for optimal charging speed when approaching a fast charger. Outside, the Leaf adopts a sleeker crossover profile with flush door handles and a lowered drag coefficient (0.25 Cd). It sits on the same CMF-EV platform as the Nissan Ariya and Renault Mégane E-Tech, sharing advanced suspension and drive technologies. A multi-link rear setup improves ride quality and promises to strike a balance between comfort, control, and efficiency. Inside it comes equipped with twin 14.3-inch screens and has Google built-in, including Maps and Assistant. The Nissan Connect Services app enables remote battery monitoring, pre-conditioning, and journey planning. A BOSE Personal Plus audio system with a driver's headrest speaker enhances the in-cabin experience, allowing navigation and calls to be directed to the driver while passengers enjoy uninterrupted music. Boot capacity increases to 437 litres and is available with a power liftgate. The new Leaf will also feature a suite of advanced driver assistance, including ProPILOT Assist with navigation integration, Intelligent Cruise Control, and new visualization tools such as the 3D Around View Monitor and Invisible Hood View for enhanced urban manouvering. Regeneration levels are now adjustable via paddle shifters or automatically through Intelligent Distance Control, which adapts regeneration based on traffic conditions. It also offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, which allows the Leaf to deliver up to 3.6 kW of power to external devices, such as camping equipment or tools. Additionally, it is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) ready, enabling owners to feed stored energy back into the power grid, potentially lowering household electricity bills and supporting grid stability. Built at Nissan's Sunderland plant, the Leaf is the first model produced under the EV36Zero initiative, which integrates EV manufacturing, renewable energy, and a localized battery supply chain for a more sustainable future. Nissan hasn't yet confirmed prices but orders are expected to open in autumn 2025 and deliveries are due next spring.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Spain says blackout caused by multiple technical factors and not a cyber attack
Six weeks after Spain and Portugal suffered a massive power outage, authorities in Madrid have issued an official report saying the cascading blackout that left tens of millions disconnected in seconds was caused by technical and planning errors that led to the grid's failure. Spanish ecological transition minister Sara Aagesen, who manages the nation's energy policy, said at a press conference that small grid failures, concentrated in the south of Spain, led to a chain reaction among larger ones, while completely ruling out questions about a cyber attack. The minister said several technical causes contributed to the event, including 'the poor planning' by operators of the grid who did not find a replacement for one power plant that was supposed to help balance power fluctuations. The April 28 outage started shortly after 12.30pm in Spain and lasted through nightfall, disrupting businesses, transport systems, mobile networks, internet connectivity and other critical infrastructures. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended renewables (PA) In just five seconds, Spain lost 15 gigawatts of electricity — or about 60% of its supply. Portugal, whose grid is connected to Spain's, also went down. Only the countries' island territories were spared. Power was fully restored by the early hours of the following day. The government report included analysts from Spain's national security agencies, which concluded, according to the minister, there were no indications of cyber-sabotage by foreign actors. The only solid information made public shortly after the system went down came from Spain's grid operator, Red Electrica, which had narrowed down the source of the outage to two separate incidents in southern Spain where substations had failed. In the weeks following the blackout, citizens and experts were left wondering what triggered the event in a region not known for power outages and igniting a fierce debate about whether Spain's high levels of renewable power had something to do with the grid failing. Spain is at the forefront of Europe's transition to renewable energy, having generated nearly 57% of its electricity in 2024 from renewable energy sources such as wind, hydropower and solar. The country is also phasing out its nuclear plants. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pushed back against such speculation and defended renewables. He asked for patience and said that his government would not 'deviate a single millimetre' from its energy transition plans, which include a goal of generating 81% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
