ESA launches Moonlight program to build lunar Comms and GPS constellation

Written by Copernical Team Tuesday, 15 October 2024 20:45

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Paris, France (SPX) Oct 15, 2024

The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially launched its Moonlight programme, aimed at creating a satellite constellation around the Moon to provide vital communications and navigation services. With over 400 lunar missions expected from both space agencies and private companies in the next two decades, Moonlight represents a major step towards sustainable lunar exploration and the broader de

ESA launches Moonlight programme to build lunar communications and navigation network
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Oct 15, 2024

The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially launched its Moonlight programme, aimed at creating a satellite constellation around the Moon to provide vital communications and navigation services. With over 400 lunar missions expected from both space agencies and private companies in the next two decades, Moonlight represents a major step towards sustainable lunar exploration and the broader development of a lunar economy.

The Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme will support precise landings, surface operations, and seamless communication between Earth and the Moon. This infrastructure is key to ensuring a lasting human presence on the Moon while optimizing costs and increasing operational efficiency.

Moonlight addresses essential needs for both human and robotic exploration and is set to create new commercial opportunities for European industries in the growing lunar economy. It will also play a crucial role in supporting future deep space missions.

The Moonlight system will consist of five satellites - four dedicated to navigation and one to communications - connected to Earth through three ground stations. This network will cover distances of up to 400,000 kilometers, with a focus on the lunar south pole, a key area of interest for future missions. This region is known for its "peaks of eternal light," offering abundant solar energy, and "craters of eternal darkness," which contain polar ice that could provide essential resources like water, oxygen, and rocket fuel.

Implementation of the Moonlight programme will happen in stages. The first phase features the Lunar Pathfinder, a communications relay satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), which will become operational in 2026. Additional services will be gradually introduced, with the full system expected to be operational by 2030.

ESA is working with NASA and JAXA on LunaNet, a framework that sets lunar communication and navigation standards. This collaboration ensures that Moonlight will be compatible with future global lunar infrastructures, with the first interoperability tests planned for 2029.

The Moonlight programme was officially initiated at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, during a contract signing attended by key ESA officials, including Laurent Jaffart, Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications; Javier Benedicto, Director of Navigation; Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration; and Gabriele Pieralli, CEO of Telespazio.

"ESA is taking the crucial step in supporting the future commercial lunar market, as well as ongoing and future lunar missions. We are extremely proud to be working with industry and Member States to ensure that our technological capabilities can support and foster cooperation on the Moon with our international partners," said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.

Gabriele Pieralli, CEO of Telespazio, added, "Leading a prestigious pan-European team, Telespazio is committed to creating the conditions for a stable and secure presence on the Moon while simultaneously opening up extraordinary commercial opportunities for Europe in cis-lunar space."

Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, commented, "The growth of a commercial lunar economy can bring real benefits back to Earth, and as one of the two leading international investors in Moonlight alongside Italy, the UK is a strong supporter of the programme. We will work closely with ESA, Telespazio, SSTL, and a range of other British companies to develop and deliver innovative commercial lunar services."

Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), also highlighted Italy's leadership in this endeavour: "Italy is proudly at the forefront of this endeavour, leveraging its industrial excellence and with strong support from ASI, and is committed to playing a major role in establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon."