The International Lunar Reference System

Abstract

As the exploration of the Moon accelerates in the coming years, there is already an urgent need to standardise the Position, Navigation and Timing of spacecraft, and consequently for the definition of the lunar reference system and frame. This document gathers the most recent recommendations of the the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) / International Astronomical Union (IAU) Joint Working Group (WG) 1.1.3 "Lunar Reference frames" on the topic. Despite the challenges for producing a Lunar Reference System and Frame due to the limited number of control points and a single data type, the WG proposes applying an approach developed for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This supports an accurate and reliable reference system, consistent with International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) standards and, based on redundant sources, ensures resilience for the lunar Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) framework. The first realization of the International Lunar Reference Frame 2026 (ILuRF2026), ILuRF2026, is delivered on the temporay website https://ilurs-6e772d.gitlab.io/ and on the future http://ilurf.gssc.esa.int together with associated software.