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The satellite operator will serve as the project’s ‘end-to-end communications lead’, helping to deploy a satellite communications network orbiting the Moon
This week, satellite connectivity provider Viasat has been selected to design the lunar orbiting satellite communications system for the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Moonlight project.
The Moonlight Initiative was formally announced by ESA in 2021, aiming to deliver uninterrupted satellite communication between Earth and the Moon. The system is expected to become a lunar ‘data highway’, allowing people, spacecraft, and lunar vehicles to seamlessly communicate with each other and with support teams back on Earth. It will also focus on providing precise location data for all users. Ultimately, it is hoped that Moonlight will serve as the communication framework for long-term human activities on and around the Moon, from mining to space tourism.
As per this new contract, Viasat will oversee the development of a lunar orbiting navigation and communication system, as well as handling related infrastructure on Earth and the lunar surface user terminals.
“Moonlight is among the most forward looking and exciting projects undertaken by the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency. Viasat’s participation builds on our heritage of delivering and operating highly innovative and ambitious satellite communication programs,” said Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat. “Alongside Telespazio, we look forward to supporting the Space Agencies by leveraging our commercial orientation, network engineering and operational skills, to reliably and securely support future generations of space exploration.”
The Moonlight Initiative will be rolled out in phases, with initial capabilities expected to be operational by the end of 2028. The system is expected to be fully operational by 2030.
Viasat’s involvement in Phase 1 of the project is fully funded by the ESA.
“Moonlight is a game-changer for lunar exploration. By providing reliable communications and navigation as a service, we’re enabling future missions to dedicate more of their payload capacity to mission-critical instruments,” said Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. “This interoperable infrastructure will significantly enhance mission capabilities while reducing complexity and cost, ultimately accelerating humanity’s return to the Moon.”
The announcement see’s Viasat join Moonlight’s growing industry consortium, which is led by Telespazio, a joint venture by Leonardo and Thales Group that designs and manages orbital systems and services. Telespazio won a €123 million contract for the implementation of the Moonlight programme at the end of last year.
Other partners included in the consortium include Hispasat, Thales Alenia Space Italia, SSTL, Qascom, MDA, KSat, Telespazio UK, Telespazio Iberica, SDA Bocconi, POLIMI, CRAS, and SIA.
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