Case Study: Intuitive Machines achieves precise, lightweight autonomous lunar landings with Advanced Navigation LiDAV

Intuitive Machines Looks To Advanced Navigation Laser Velocity and Ranging Technology for Autonomous Commercial Lunar Landings

Intuitive Machines, a U.S. space exploration company working on NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions, needed a way to enable autonomous lunar landings while significantly reducing the size and weight of a critical navigation sensor. The company wanted a solution that could improve reliability, support greater payload capacity, and keep its lunar landers commercially viable. Advanced Navigation’s LiDAV laser velocity and ranging technology was selected for this challenge.

Advanced Navigation implemented LiDAV, a compact sensor that combines velocity and range/altitude measurement in a single package. The system delivered much higher accuracy and reliability than existing sensor technologies, while weighing less than comparable space navigation sensors and reducing overall system complexity. The result was improved autonomous landing capability and the potential to add several million USD in payload revenue per mission, helping Intuitive Machines increase mission safety, performance, and commercial return.

Intuitive Machines

Tim Crain

Chief Technology Officer