A recent study by researchers from Grahaa Space in India, presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) held in March 2025, explores the potential of nanosatellites in advancing lunar exploration and settlement. The study investigates the advantages, challenges, and diverse applications of using these small satellites on the Moon, offering valuable insights for scientists, engineers, and mission planners.
The study highlights various applications for nanosatellites in lunar orbit, including detailed mapping, precise navigation, resource identification, and reliable Earth-moon communications. They can also aid in lunar weather monitoring, support human settlements, facilitate scientific research, and enable AI implementation. Nanosatellites offer a cost-effective and efficient approach to overcoming challenges associated with establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.
This research aligns with NASA's Artemis program and its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which involves private companies developing lunar infrastructure. Establishing reliable communication and resource identification using nanosatellites is crucial, especially for the lunar south pole, the target of the Artemis program, where water ice is located in permanently shadowed regions. Seamless communications and resource location are critical for long-term lunar presence, potentially proving invaluable for a sustained human presence on the Moon and, eventually, on Mars.