Lunar Link Budget

Lunar Link Budget is a space planning model that estimates whether a signal path has enough margin for reliable communication for Moon surface and cislunar mission operations. It uses antenna gain, path loss, modulation, and noise estimates so teams can schedule contacts with realistic margins while keeping evidence, reliability, and public-safe operational boundaries clear.

“The mission team used Lunar Link Budget when the lander crossed into a polar shadow region, so the team could schedule contacts with realistic margins before the next mission decision point.”