# Moonlight Programme
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{{Short description|Project by the European Space Agency}}{{Infobox spacecraft class
| name = Moonlight
| image =
| manufacturer =
| country = 23px [European Space Agency](/source/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)
}}thumb|Lunar south pole terrain|310x310px
thumb|Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station|310x310pxThe '''Moonlight programme'''[{{Cite web |title=Moonlight – ESA CSC: Connectivity & Secure Communications |url=https://connectivity.esa.int/moonlight |access-date=2026-01-22 |language=en-GB}}] or the '''Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS)'''[{{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}}] is an initiative by the [European Space Agency (ESA)](/source/European_Space_Agency) with the goal of creating uninterrupted [telecommunications satellite](/source/telecommunications_satellite) coverage between [Earth](/source/Earth) and the [Moon](/source/Moon), as well as lunar [satellite navigation](/source/satellite_navigation), facilitating future lunar projects.[{{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}}] LCNS is a partnership between ESA and an industry consortium led by [Telespazio](/source/Telespazio), with support from the [UK Space Agency](/source/UK_Space_Agency) and the [Italian Space Agency](/source/Italian_Space_Agency).[{{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}}] Moonlight is managed by ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications (CSC) directorate, alongside the ARTES and [IRIS2](/source/IRIS%C2%B2) programmes.[{{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}}]
== 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.[{{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}}] involving the adoption of the [LunaNet](/source/LunaNet) specifications.[{{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}}][{{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}}][{{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}}] 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.[{{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}}] One satellite will be focused on communications ("COMSAT") and four on navigation ("NAVSAT-1" to "NAVSAT-4").[[https://www.telespazio.com/documents/559023/15548050/Moonlight_scheda+web_en.pdf Telespazio Moonlight leaflet]] The orbits of the LCNS satellites will be designed to prioritise coverage of the [lunar south pole](/source/lunar_south_pole) area.[{{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}}]
* In October 2019, the ''Lunar Pathfinder'' mission was in its pilot phase and had its first business review successfully completed.[{{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}}]
* In July 2020, ESA announced a call to companies for expressions of interest to contribute to commercial satellite services for the Moon.[{{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}}]
* In May 2021, the Moonlight Initiative was officially announced.[{{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}}]
* In March 2023, ESA selected [Firefly Aerospace](/source/Firefly_Aerospace) to deliver ''Lunar Pathfinder'' to lunar orbit via the [Blue Ghost](/source/Firefly_Aerospace_Blue_Ghost) vehicle.[{{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}}]
* In February 2023, ESA expressed interest in creating international [lunar timekeeping](/source/Timekeeping_on_the_Moon) standards and stressed their importance for LCNS and similar projects.[{{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}}]
* In June 2023, The first satnav receiver designed to operate in lunar orbit has been delivered to [SSTL](/source/Surrey_Satellite_Technology) in the UK for integration aboard the ''[Lunar Pathfinder](/source/Lunar_Pathfinder)'' spacecraft.[{{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}}]
* 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.[{{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}}]
* In November 2024, ESA officially commenced the LCNS programme at the [International Astronautical Congress](/source/International_Astronautical_Congress) in Milan.[{{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}}]
* In March 2025, Telespazio has awarded a contract to [Thales Alenia Space](/source/Thales_Alenia_Space) to build the four satellites and to develop elements of the system’s ground segment.[{{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}}] ESA and [JAXA](/source/JAXA) have signed a statement of intent detailing future cooperation within the [LunaNet](/source/LunaNet) framework.[{{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}}] ESA has also selected [Viasat](/source/Viasat_(American_company)) to lead the lunar orbiting satellite communications portion of LCNS, alongside [Telespazio](/source/Telespazio).[{{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}}] Viasat will design and develop the end-end service, covering the satellites, ground segments, and user terminals.[[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]
* In July 2025, two UK companies—[SSTL](/source/Surrey_Satellite_Technology) and [MDA Space UK](/source/MDA_Space_Ltd.)—joined the Moonlight initiative to work with Viasat.[{{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}}]
* In September 2025, [Telespazio](/source/Telespazio) and [ispace](/source/Ispace_Inc.) 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.[{{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}}]