Quadri R. Adebowale and Shawn Ostermann2026-06-012026-06-012026-02-10https://uilspace.unilorin.edu.ng/handle/123456789/18481Future lunar missions require robust 5G communication links, and their design depends partly on path loss characterization, link budget planning inputs, and path prediction loss models tailored to the Moon’s environmental conditions. This work develops a site-specific 5G large-scale path loss model for Shoemaker Rim F at 5.855 GHz using a high-resolution lunar digital elevation map and 3D ray tracing inWireless Insite. Two link configurations were studied—dipole transmitter to dipole receiver (DD) and omni transmitter to dipole receiver (OD)—under five path loss cases: measured path loss, free space path loss (FSPL) with and without antenna patterns, and excess path loss with and without antenna patterns. The close-in (CI) and floating intercept (FI) model parameters are derived to develop a mathematical model for path loss prediction for the Shoemaker RIF’s terrain on the lunar south pole. The CI and FI for the DD configuration revealed a path loss exponentof 2.5378 and RMSE values of 45.15 dB and 43.898 dB, while the CI and FI for the OD configuration yielded a path loss exponent of 4.3280 and RMSE values of 6.301 dB and 66.739 dB, indicating strong sensitivity to the transmitter radiation pattern.