Moonlight Programme

{{Short description|Project by the European Space Agency}}{{Infobox spacecraft class | name = Moonlight | image = | manufacturer = | country = [[File:European_Space_Agency_logo.svg|23px]] [[European Space Agency]] | operator = | applications = Lunar communication and navigation | planned = 5 | launched = 0 | insignia = ESA Moonlight Inititative Logo.png | insignia_size = 160px | firstlaunch = 2028 (planned) }}[[File:Lunar South Pole Terrain in Coded Color (SVS5127 - lola sp 0570 print).jpg|thumb|Lunar south pole terrain|310x310px]] [[File:Goonhilly2.jpg|thumb|Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station|310x310px]]The '''Moonlight programme'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moonlight – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications |url=https://connectivity.esa.int/moonlight |access-date=2026-01-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref> or the '''Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moonlight |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Moonlight |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> is an initiative by the [[European Space Agency|European Space Agency (ESA)]] with the goal of creating uninterrupted [[telecommunications satellite]] coverage between [[Earth]] and the [[Moon]], as well as lunar [[satellite navigation]], facilitating future lunar projects.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is ESA's Moonlight initiative? |url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2022/11/What_is_ESA_s_Moonlight_initiative |website=European Space Agency |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> LCNS is a partnership between ESA and an industry consortium led by [[Telespazio]], with support from the [[UK Space Agency]] and the [[Italian Space Agency]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ESA's Moonlight programme: Pioneering the path for lunar exploration |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/ESA_s_Moonlight_programme_Pioneering_the_path_for_lunar_exploration |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> Moonlight is managed by ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC) directorate, alongside the ARTES and [[IRIS²|IRIS<sup>2</sup>]] programmes.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Connectivity and Secure Communications programmes receive €2.1 billion at CM25 to continue driving competitive satellite communications – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications |url=https://connectivity.esa.int/archives/news/connectivity-and-secure-communications-programmes-receive-e2-1-billion-at-cm25-to-continue-driving-competitive-satellite-communications |access-date=2026-01-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Goals == The stated end goal of the Moonlight programme is to make it easier for institution and companies to build infrastructure (i.e. mining, utilities, power, etc.) on the Moon, culminating in a sustained long-term human presence.<ref name=":2" /> LCNS is intended for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs of lunar operations.<ref name=":0" /> [[ESA]] intends to work in partnership with [[NASA]] and [[JAXA]] in creating lasting telecommunications and navigation links with the moon,<ref>{{cite web |title=Badri Younes from NASA speaks about ESA's Moonlight initiative |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Moonlight |access-date=7 January 2024 |website=European Space Agency}}</ref> involving the adoption of the [[LunaNet]] specifications.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ventura |first1=Javier |title=Lunar Pathfinder - Moonlight |url=https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/icg/2023/ICG-17/icg17_wgb_05.pdf |access-date=7 January 2024 |website=United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> == Spacecraft == The communications relay satellite [[Lunar Pathfinder|''Lunar Pathfinder'']], set for launch in 2026,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lunar Pathfinder |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/lunar-pathfinder.htm |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Gunter's Space Page |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Ghost Mission 2 |url=https://fireflyspace.com/missions/blue-ghost-mission-2/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Firefly Aerospace |language=en-US}}</ref> will serve as a precursor to the full LCNS constellation. The complete constellation will consist of five lunar orbiters between 400 and 600 kg per satellite, launched in two separate stages.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Telespazio and ispace Sign Letter of Intent for the Future Use of the Orbital Transfer Vehicle to Lunar Orbit |url=https://www.telespazio.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/ispace-pr |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=www.telespazio.com |language=en-US}}</ref> One satellite will be focused on communications ("COMSAT") and four on navigation ("NAVSAT-1" to "NAVSAT-4").<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">[https://www.telespazio.com/documents/559023/15548050/Moonlight_scheda+web_en.pdf Telespazio Moonlight leaflet]</ref> The orbits of the LCNS satellites will be designed to prioritise coverage of the [[lunar south pole]] area.<ref name=":0" /> The COMSAT satellite will have an [[orbital period]] of 12 hours and a [[Semi-major and semi-minor axes|semi-major axis]] of about 6,000 km. The NAVSAT satellites will have an orbital period of 24 hours and a semi-major axis of about 10,000 km. All LCNS satellites will be placed on Elliptical Lunar [[Frozen orbit|Frozen Orbits]] (ELFOs) in order to keep a constant [[Orbital eccentricity|eccentricity]], [[Orbital inclination|inclination]], and [[Argument of periapsis|argument of pericenter]].<ref name=":1" />

== Timeline ==

* In April 2018, ESA has signed a collaboration agreement with [[Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd|Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)]] and [[Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station|Goonhilly Earth Station (GES)]] for [[Commercial Lunar Mission Support Services|Commercial Lunar Mission Support Services (CLMSS)]]. The agreement includes collaboration on the [[Lunar Pathfinder|''Lunar Pathfinder'']] mission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA signs collaboration agreement for commercial Lunar missions |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_signs_collaboration_agreement_for_commercial_Lunar_missions |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In October 2019, the ''Lunar Pathfinder'' mission was in its pilot phase and had its first business review successfully completed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A pathway for communicating at the Moon |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/A_pathway_for_communicating_at_the_Moon |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In July 2020, ESA announced a call to companies for expressions of interest to contribute to commercial satellite services for the Moon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who’s ready to serve the lunar missions? |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Who_s_ready_to_serve_the_lunar_missions |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In May 2021, the Moonlight Initiative was officially announced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA to unveil its plans for lunar satellites |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/ESA_to_unveil_its_plans_for_lunar_satellites |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In March 2023, ESA selected [[Firefly Aerospace]] to deliver ''Lunar Pathfinder'' to lunar orbit via the [[Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost|Blue Ghost]] vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Firefly to take Lunar Pathfinder to the Moon |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Firefly_to_take_Lunar_Pathfinder_to_the_Moon |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In February 2023, ESA expressed interest in creating international [[Timekeeping on the Moon|lunar timekeeping]] standards and stressed their importance for LCNS and similar projects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telling time on the Moon |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Satellite_navigation/Telling_time_on_the_Moon |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In June 2023, The first satnav receiver designed to operate in lunar orbit has been delivered to [[Surrey Satellite Technology|SSTL]] in the UK for integration aboard the ''[[Lunar Pathfinder]]'' spacecraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Satnav from Earth to the Moon |url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/06/Satnav_from_Earth_to_the_Moon |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In October 2023, ESA launched "a competition for visionary business ideas" for how to use LCNS, and expects to offer contracts to develop such ideas.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Wanted: bright ideas to develop the lunar economy |url=https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Wanted_bright_ideas_to_develop_the_lunar_economy |website=European Space Agency |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> * In November 2024, ESA officially commenced the LCNS programme at the [[International Astronautical Congress]] in Milan.<ref name=":0" /> At this event, ESA signed a contract worth 123 million euro with [[Telespazio]] to manage the development of LCNS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telespazio signs a contract worth 123 million euro with the European Space Agency for the Moonlight programme and future missions to the Moon |url=https://www.telespazio.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/firma-moonlight-pr |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.telespazio.com |language=en-US}}</ref> * In March 2025, Telespazio has awarded a contract to [[Thales Alenia Space]] to build the four satellites and to develop elements of the system’s ground segment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parsonson |first=Andrew |date=2025-03-13 |title=Thales Alenia Space to Build ESA Moonlight Satellites for Telespazio |url=https://europeanspaceflight.com/thales-alenia-space-to-build-esa-moonlight-satellites-for-telespazio/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=European Spaceflight |language=en-US}}</ref> ESA and [[JAXA]] have signed a statement of intent detailing future cooperation within the [[LunaNet]] framework.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA and JAXA strengthen ties on Moon and Mars exploration |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_and_JAXA_strengthen_ties_on_Moon_and_Mars_exploration |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> ESA has also selected [[Viasat (American company)|Viasat]] to lead the lunar orbiting satellite communications portion of LCNS, alongside [[Telespazio]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=To the Moon: Viasat Selected to Design Lunar Orbiting Satellite System Alongside Telespazio |url=https://www.viasat.com/news/latest-news/corporate/2025/to-the-moon-viasat-moonlight-telespazio/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Viasat.com |language=en}}</ref> Viasat will design and develop the end-end service, covering the satellites, ground segments, and user terminals.<ref>[https://bsky.app/profile/esaconnectivity.esa.int/post/3ll7o6hfwg22q Viasat.com joins Moonlight!] [https://bsky.app/profile/esaconnectivity.esa.int ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications Bluesky account], March 25, 2025</ref> * In July 2025, two UK companies—[[Surrey Satellite Technology|SSTL]] and [[MDA Space Ltd.|MDA Space UK]]—joined the Moonlight initiative to work with Viasat.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-17 |title=Viasat begins work with MDA Space UK and SSTL on ESA's Moonlight programme |url=https://connectivity.esa.int/news/viasat-begins-work-mda-space-uk-and-sstl-esas-moonlight-programme |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=connectivity.esa.int |language=en}}</ref> * In September 2025, [[Telespazio]] and [[Ispace Inc.|ispace]] signed a letter of intent to start collaborating on LCNS, possibly by using the ispace's flight-tested technology to transport the LCNS satellites into lunar orbit.<ref name=":3" /> * In November 2025, ESA member states confirmed funding of €176 million for Moonlight for the next three years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-27 |title=ESA Member States commit to largest contributions at Ministerial |url=https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/ESA_Member_States_commit_to_largest_contributions_at_Ministerial |access-date=2025-11-27 |website=esa.int |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

== See also ==

* [[List of European Space Agency programmes and missions]] * [[Argonaut (lunar lander)|Argonaut lunar lander]] * [[Coordinated Lunar Time]]

== References == {{reflist}}

[[Category:European Space Agency programmes]]

{{European Space Agency|state=collapsed}}{{satellite navigation systems}}{{Moon spacecraft|state=collapsed}} [[Category:Future spaceflights]] [[Category:Proposed missions to the Moon]] [[Category:2028 in spaceflight]]