Thales Alenia Space to Develop Space Segment for ESA’s Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation System led by Telespazio

Insider Brief

• Thales Alenia Space, led by Telespazio, will design and develop the space segment for the European Space Agency’s Moonlight program.
• The company will also oversee key elements of the Earth mission segment and conduct the testing and validation of the first-ever satellite navigation system in lunar orbit.
• Image credit: ESA

Telespazio announced that the company and Thales Alenia Space will design and develop the space segment for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Moonlight program. The program aims to establish a satellite constellation in lunar orbit to enable precise navigation for lunar landings, surface mobility, and high-speed communication between Earth and the Moon.

As part of the collaboration, Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, development, and deployment of four lunar elliptical orbit navigation satellites. The company will also oversee key elements of the Earth mission segment and conduct the testing and validation of the first-ever satellite navigation system in lunar orbit.

Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO of Thales Alenia Space, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “We are extremely proud to be a key pillar in the Moonlight program, providing the navigation system and infrastructure that will orbit around the Moon. Our collaboration with Telespazio will ensure the development of a complete turnkey solution for ESA.”

Telespazio’s CEO, Gabriele Pieralli, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Together, we are providing ESA with an innovative solution for lunar navigation, combining our expertise with Thales’ engineering excellence.”