Video: What is ESA’s Moonlight initiative?

Going to the moon was step one. Staying there’s the subsequent ambition.

ESA is a key companion in NASA’s Artemis program, which goals to return individuals to the moon by the tip of the last decade. Dozens of different worldwide private and non-private missions are setting their sights on the lunar surface within the coming years.

However to attain a everlasting and sustainable presence on the moon, dependable and autonomous lunar communications and navigation companies are required.

That is why ESA is working with its industrial companions on the Moonlight initiative, to turn into the primary off-planet business telecoms and satellite navigation supplier.

Following their launch, three or 4 satellites will probably be carried into lunar orbit by a space tug and deployed one after the other, to type a constellation of lunar satellites. The quantity and specification of those satellites are at present being outlined.

The constellation’s orbits are optimized to offer protection to the lunar south pole, whose sustained daylight and polar ice make it the main target of upcoming missions.

Moonlight will present knowledge capacities ample to serve these deliberate and future missions, with a navigation service that permits correct real-time positioning for all lunar missions.