Why did NASA install a beacon on the Moon?

Almost 2,700 years after people built Cape Sigeya the first lighthouse of which there are records was included by NASA lighthouse on the moon. The usefulness is almost the same. The one in Sigea guided travelers by boat, and the one on the Moon guided those traveling by spaceship.

The tests were carried out in February last year as part of Odysseus Mission, from NASA and Intuitive Machines. Since they have been successful, it is expected that more will be developed lighthouses of this type, so that in the future there will be a whole lunar network of beacons associated with both manned spacecraft and space probes.

In addition, this beacon on the Moon is a test for placing beacons on Mars. While on the Moon they may be guided by directives sent from Earth, on Mars communication is delay 20 minutes, so there cannot be a smooth conversation between both parties. He lighthouse lightingSo this could be an ideal way for astronauts traveling to the Red Planet to find themselves and explore its limits without the fear of getting lost.

Lighthouse on the Moon, despite all the obstacles

As NASA explained in a statement, the Odyssey mission initially had 10 hours to test the beacon on the Moon. However, a number of problems with the ship’s landing significantly reduced the available time. Luckily that was enough 30 minutes to check the correct operation of the beacon.

This lunar beacon does not operate with a light like terrestrial navigation beacons. It is a far cry from what is used on ships near Sigea. In fact, its mission is to transmit location informationboth to Earth and to probes, ships and astronauts located nearby.

During these first tests, the lighthouse, named Lunar node 1 (LN-1), made two 15-minute broadcasts. At this time, telemetry measurements were carried out. That is, it would be possible to take physical measurements of the environment and then send them over long distances.

Another object for Artemis researchers

The first people to walk on the moon undertook mission into the unknown. Fortunately, they succeeded and there were no casualties. Regardless, these were not easy invasions, which is why NASA and the rest of the world’s space agencies have been working for decades to ensure that the next people traveling to our moon will have a much better understanding of the ground they set foot on.

For this purpose, many probes were sent to the Moon, aimed at reconnaissance of the area even on its far side. It is also planned to deploy a Wi-Fi type communication network. Even the railway! Now, in addition, the Moon will have its own beacon system. After the Apollo missions, the Artemis spacecraft will be the next to land on the moon. Their goal is much more ambitious, as they want to create a base on the Moon that will serve as a service station for future journeys much further afield, such as to the Moon. Mars.

Having a location system in place is essential for all of this to happen. The people who built the first lighthouse in history could not even imagine that something like this would ever happen. What do people think is impossible today and will it eventually become a reality?