Spanish firm builds lunar GPS to aid Moon navigation

A Spanish tech company, GMV, is developing LUPIN—a lunar GPS system that helps rovers and astronauts navigate the Moon's surface safely. Designed with the European Space Agency, LUPIN identifies the best routes by using satellite data to avoid hazards and guide explorers to their destinations.

Lunar GPS system provides real-time updates and autonomy

The Moon’s landscape is ever-changing due to impacts and lunar dust. LUPIN tracks these shifts in real-time, offering vital updates. Unlike Earth-dependent navigation, which is slow and complex, this system works independently to ensure more accurate and timely guidance.

Tested in Moon-like terrain and designed for the far side

Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands serves as a testing ground, thanks to its volcanic, Moon-like terrain. LUPIN is also being developed to map the Moon’s far side—the shadowed region that has long remained less accessible.

Supporting the growth of the booming space economy

As interest in lunar missions grows—for research, tourism, or permanent settlements—the need for autonomous navigation becomes crucial. With the space economy expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, technologies like LUPIN are vital for sustainable lunar development.

Watch the video to explore how this lunar GPS system could change the future of Moon exploration.