LunaGrid Lite advances toward lunar power transmission milestone

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 21 August 2025 02:25

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 21, 2025

Astrobotic reported that its LunaGrid-Lite mission has cleared Critical Design Review (CDR) and has begun building flight hardware, moving the project closer to a planned 2026 demonstration of lunar surface power transmission. The mission will deploy 500 meters of lightweight cable across the Moon and deliver one kilowatt of power using an Astrobotic CubeRover. "This milestone signals the

LunaGrid Lite advances toward lunar power transmission milestone
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 21, 2025

Astrobotic reported that its LunaGrid-Lite mission has cleared Critical Design Review (CDR) and has begun building flight hardware, moving the project closer to a planned 2026 demonstration of lunar surface power transmission. The mission will deploy 500 meters of lightweight cable across the Moon and deliver one kilowatt of power using an Astrobotic CubeRover.

"This milestone signals the conclusion of design and planning, setting us on course for a flight-ready system by Q2 2026," said Matt Zamborsky, Senior Program Manager at Astrobotic. "It validates that our designs are mature and capable of meeting mission requirements."

CDR marks the stage in spacecraft development where all system designs are locked in, verified against mission objectives, and cleared for flight hardware production. Each subsystem team presented proof that their components are defined, tested, and ready for fabrication.

"Engineering models have undergone extensive testing to demonstrate mission readiness," said Thomas Joyce, Systems Engineering Lead for LunaGrid-Lite. "This success showcases the collaboration and dedication across the company."

With hardware production in progress, the next milestone is the System Integration Review in late 2025, where assembled components will be validated ahead of full spacecraft integration.

LunaGrid-Lite aims to pave the way for LunaGrid, Astrobotic's scalable lunar power network designed to support long-duration exploration and permanent infrastructure at the Moon's south pole. The system will enable continuous operations through the lunar night, provide energy for scientific and industrial activities, and serve both government and commercial users.

"LunaGrid is a core capability for sustainable lunar exploration," said John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic. "Power is the first enabler of science, mobility, and habitation. LunaGrid-Lite is the first step toward that vision."