Design of Lunar Communication-Navigation Integrated Constellation Based on Recursive Orbit

With the growing frequency and complexity of lunar exploration activities, there is a pressing need for high-rate communication services and precise navigation capabilities for targets on the lunar surface. Major spacefaring nations are currently working on developing lunar constellation architectures to address the demands of future mission requirements. However, existing lunar constellation designs have not fully leveraged the capabilities of integrated communication-navigation technologies, leading to less than optimal cost efficiency. This study introduces a novel methodology for designing lunar constellations based on recursive orbit. It utilizes a multi-objective optimization framework that concurrently evaluates coverage multiplicity, communication performance, and navigation accuracy constraints through a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm. The optimization results indicate that a 12-satellite constellation can achieve full lunar surface coverage with an average Positioning Dilution of Precision （PDOP） below 7, while ensuring continuous triple coverage in mid-to-high latitudes throughout the lunar cycle. The proposed architecture provides a cost-effective solution for future lunar exploration by integrating communication and navigation functions. This research underscores the considerable potential of integrated communication-navigation technologies in optimizing lunar infrastructure development through synergistic design approaches.