Autonomous Optical Navigation for the Future Lunar Economy - Today

TECHNOLOGY

Synthetic lunar image with crater triad overlay

We’ve developed an optical navigation (OpNav) algorithm that autonomously determines spacecraft position in lunar orbit. Designed to reduce reliance on currently oversubscribed Earth-based tracking systems like the Deep Space Network (DSN), our lunar OpNav technology is fully autonomous, providing a low size, weight and power (SWaP) solution for spacecraft positioning and navigation in lunar orbit.

Our prototype has already demonstrated precise navigation in a simulated environment using thousands of high-fidelity synthetic images, and early testing shows that our crater detection algorithm (CDA) generalises well to real lunar imagery. The next step is to validate and refine this capability in partnership with organisations currently operating spacecraft in lunar orbit.

ROADMAP

Trained on thousands of synthetic lunar images, our proprietary CDA demonstrates good generalisation against real-world lunar imagery. Original image from Artemis I archive [https://images.nasa.gov/details/art001e002158]

Prototype Lunar OpNav System (Complete) – Using high-fidelity synthetic lunar images, we have developed an autonomous OpNav algorithm that detects distinct patterns of craters in lunar images and, using camera pose and projection geometry, translates them into accurate position estimates. This stage has allowed us to validate our core algorithm in a controlled environment and establish a strong foundation for further development.

Strategic Partnerships to Raise TRL – Our algorithm has proven effective with synthetic lunar imagery. The next step is to test their performance against real-world data. We are seeking partnerships with organisations operating spacecraft in lunar orbit to validate and refine our approach.

Filtering Position Observations – We plan to enhance our technology with advanced filtering techniques to refine position estimates using sequential observations. This approach will enable our technology to smooth measurement noise, reject outliers, and maintain high-accuracy navigation performance.

In-Orbit Commissioning – Our long-term goal is to deploy and commission our technology to operate autonomously aboard spacecraft in lunar orbit—delivering precise, reliable positioning in real mission environments.

NEWS

21st July 2025 - We’re excited to announce that Tycho Orbital has been selected to join the UK Space Agency’s Accelerator Explore Programme, a national program designed to support and grow the UK’s most promising space technology companies.

The accelerator offers early-stage space ventures access to expert mentoring, technical guidance, and industry networks to help transform innovative ideas into commercially viable solutions.

Participation in the accelerator represents a significant milestone in our mission to make precise, autonomous navigation in lunar orbit a reality. With support from the UK Space Agency, we will further refine our technology, expand our partnerships, and position Tycho Orbital to play a key role in the future of lunar exploration.

We look forward to sharing our progress as we move through the programme — and to contributing to the UK’s growing presence in the global space sector.

Tycho Orbital Joins UK Space Agency Accelerator 21/07/2025
Tycho Orbital Joins UK Space Agency Accelerator

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If you or your organisation are interested and want to learn more about what we are building at Tycho Orbital, please fill in the form below, and we will get in touch.

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TYCHO ORBITAL

Tycho Orbital Ltd.
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