NASA makes navigation backpacks for astronauts on the Moon

Testing a navigation backpack on the Moon – Photo: HEROMAG

The backpack is integrated with Lidar technology, which can orient the wearer’s path based on the principle of emitting a laser beam and then receiving the feedback signal.

The project, named KNaCK, is a collaboration between NASA and two technology companies Torch Technologies and Aeva (USA), to develop a network of remote sensing maps.

The technology will use mobile Lidar to create extremely high-resolution maps in real time, corresponding to the astronaut’s journey on the Moon.

The backpack is incorporated with many sensors. The device’s memory capacity is up to millions of measuring points per second, so it can act as a navigation device for astronauts.

According to Dr. Michael Zanetti – space scientist at NASA, project team leader – the KNaCK navigation backpack will be an effective assistant for astronauts on missions back to the Moon.

Previously, engineers also experimented with using KNaCK to map an ancient crater in the state of New Mexico (USA) and reconstruct a 3D version of the 10 km long sea barrier dunes at Kennedy Space Center. of NASA, Florida (USA).

The positioning images from the backpack – Photo: HEROMAG

On the Moon, many areas are very dark, almost do not receive light for a long time, along with a lot of dust that limits the visibility of the astronauts. Meanwhile, the extraterrestrial GPS system is still not really effective.

KNaCK can almost accurately determine the distance between landmarks, showing astronauts how far the wearer has made on the Moon. The tool also helps with navigation, scientific mapping, creating 3D maps – valuable documents for future expeditions.

The backpack weighs 18kg. The team is working on miniaturizing the hardware as well as increasing the durability of the backpack against the effects of strong solar radiation on the Moon.

NASA aims to land astronauts on the Moon’s south pole by the end of 2024, but faces many challenges, such as major technical risks, unrealistic development schedules, and low funding levels. than required.

However, by November 2021, this plan was forced to extend “to 2026 at the earliest” due to the impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic, which delayed the preparation stages.