Abstract: With the continuous advancement of lunar exploration missions by various countries, cislunar communications are increasingly evolving toward a networked paradigm. The unique characteristics of cislunar space—such as its vast spatial scale, highly dynamic topology, and strong heterogeneity in network composition—render traditional near-Earth satellite networking technologies inadequate. Consequently, establishing an efficient and reliable cislunar network has become a critical requirement for supporting deep-space exploration missions. This paper systematically reviews the research progress in cislunar networking. It provides an in-depth analysis of relevant domestic and international research outcomes and engineering practices from the perspectives of network architecture and protocol architecture. Key technical areas are emphasized, including communication link design and network construction, network protocol design and optimization, cislunar positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), and security mechanisms. The findings of this study aim to serve as a reference for the development and implementation of cislunar networking technologies, laying the groundwork for information infrastructure to support major missions such as crewed lunar landings and the establishment of lunar research stations, thereby facilitating the large-scale exploration and utilization of cislunar space.

Key words: cislunar space, network architecture, protocol framework, earth–moon coordination, integrated communication and navigation network