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Part I covers the fundamental aspects of lunar surface navigation. First is a brief discussion of the environment of the lunar navigator, and the rest of Part I covers basic navigation theory as applied to lunar surface navigation. This is done by introducing the concept of the "navigation model". Central to navigation, and to the navigation model, are the concepts of dead reckoning and fixing. These ideas are brought together in a description of two hypothetical lunar navigation systems; one system employing a low-fidelity navigation model, and the other system employing a high-fidelity model.

Part II focuses on the practice of lunar navigation, describing early research on the subject, the experience of the Apollo missions, and of the two Soviet Lunakhod missions.

Part III examines the current and future state of navigation technologies which may apply to future lunar navigation. Current computer hardware and software will be covered, as well as the potential of neural networks, optical gyroscopes, solid-state inertial navigation systems, and optical computing will be explored. Recommendations for further research are made.


Note: the text often refers to "the navigator". This term is considered to mean either a human navigator or an automated one, such as a navigation computer.

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