Blue Skies Space has secured funding from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to explore the design of a CubeSat-based satellite constellation capable of orbiting the Moon and conducting observations of the early universe.
The initiative, known as RadioLuna, will assess whether a network of compact satellites placed in lunar orbit could detect the elusive radio emissions from the universe's for by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 15, 2025
Blue Skies Space has secured funding from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to explore the design of a CubeSat-based satellite constellation capable of orbiting the Moon and conducting observations of the early universe.
The initiative, known as RadioLuna, will assess whether a network of compact satellites placed in lunar orbit could detect the elusive radio emissions from the universe's formative period. These signals, which lie in the FM radio band, originate from a time before star formation, when hydrogen gas dominated the cosmos. Earth's own radio interference makes such detection nearly impossible from the surface, but lunar orbit, particularly above the far side, offers a radio-quiet vantage point.
"The idea for this project stemmed from the global efforts to develop the lunar economy. Programmes by space agencies such as ESA Moonlight or NASA Artemis can provide the transport, communication and timing infrastructure to projects such as RadioLuna. We are grateful to the Italian Space Agency for funding this activity with our project partner OHB Italia to explore novel ways of delivering exciting science," said Dr Marcell Tessenyi, CEO and Co-founder of Blue Skies Space.
The study will investigate the technical feasibility and scientific utility of using CubeSats with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware for deep-space radio astronomy. The design and coordination of the mission will be managed by Blue Skies Space Italia S.r.l., a subsidiary of the UK-headquartered Blue Skies Space Ltd.
OHB Italia, the primary partner in the project, will take the lead on identifying a viable satellite platform optimized for operation in lunar orbit. "RadioLuna is a challenge where scientific ambition meets engineering pragmatism," stated Roberto Aceti, Managing Director of OHB Italia. "We are proud to contribute to the development of an observatory that could open new frontiers in our understanding of the early universe, bringing to the mission our expertise and our M3 platform."
Dr Tessenyi added: "We started Blue Skies Space to capitalise on the changes brought by the NewSpace economy. RadioLuna is an excellent opportunity to showcase the benefits these bring to science."
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