GPS system has inspired researchers to develop a similar tracking and mapping system for astronauts on the Moon. Moon’s terrain and landscape pose a number of dangers and the obscure perils have in fact slowed research on the Moon.

Hence, when Ron Li, a professor of Ohio State University came up with the idea for the Moon mapping system, NASA was impressed and granted him 1.2 million dollars to develop the concept. A major disadvantage is that moon doesn’t have satellites of it’s own unlike Earth, resulting in a slightly different approach to develop the mapping system. The system is going to involve lunar beacons, stereo cameras, and orbital imaging sensors and would work rather in a similar fashion to GPS system. The system, when developed would allow astronauts to know where exactly they are and also to map the lunar terrain and landscape.

Via Gizmowatch