In r/nasa, a practical argument emerges over whether constant lunar comms coverage is worth the cost and station-keeping complexity. The counterpoint emphasizes lunar orbit maintenance challenges and that continuous coverage was not historically necessary.
Question, why don't we have several satellites orbiting the Moon so communication is always available?
I remember reading that lunar orbits are difficult to maintain compared to our geosynchronous ones.
The varying gravitational pulls means a satellite will end up using more fuel to stay in a steady orbit, lessening its life to study the Moon.
And even after, the cost and complexity makes it ridiculous just to eliminate a small communications blackout.
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