The feasibility study will support the development of Lunar Economy

20 May 2021

Taking to the Moon the satellite communication and positioning services that we use every day on Earth. It’s the target of the advanced feasibility study that the European Space Agency has assigned to an international consortium guided by Telespazio, with the role of large mission integrator.

The contract between the ESA and Telespazio has been signed this afternoon, during a digital event attended by the ASI president, Giorgio Saccoccia, the ESA director of telecommunications and integrated applications, Elodie Viau, the ESA director of navigation, Paul Verhoef, the ESA director of human and robotic exploration, David Parker, the Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd CEO, Phil Brownett, the UK Space Agency CEO, Graham Turnock, and the Telespazio CEO and coordinator of Leonardo’s space activities, Luigi Pasquali.

The study is part of the ESA’s Moonlight initiative, which is aimed at creating financially sustainable lunar communications and navigation services (LCNS), and the related infrastructures for lunar exploration. After the study phase, the ESA is planning to select an operator for the management of the LCNS system and the supply of such services.

The consortium includes Inmarsat and Hispasat (satellite operators) and manufacturing companies such as Thales Alenia Space Italia which will be in charge, along with Telespazio, of defining and designing the whole system, as well as designing the space segment (elements flying around the Moon) and the lunar segment (elements on the surface of the Moon). TAS Italia takes advantage of both the skills developed while building the Galileo satellites, since the start of the Programme, and the expertise acquired in the development of Esprit, the communication and refueling model that, along with the I-HAB (International Habitat), which will host astronauts, is one of the key elements for the future cislunar orbit station – Lunar Orbital Platform – Gateway (LOP-G).

Altec (a joint venture between Thales Alenia Space Italia and the Italian Space Agency) plays a role in the ground infrastructure, supporting Telespazio in the design and building of the ground segment and taking advantage of the skills acquired while providing a continuous support to both the ISS and the ExoMars mission’s Rover module. The other companies and research institutes involved in the project are: OHB and MDA, Nanoracks Europe, Argotec, SEE Lab SDA Bocconi and the Polytechnic University of Milan.

The study will define the architecture for the future development of a complete system which, leveraging on terrestrial infrastructures and space assets such as satellites, is capable of guaranteeing services to the different platforms orbiting around the Moon or its surface, such as rovers, landers or lunar bases, which will be used in the next few missions. Furthermore, the project will analyze the possibility to make the LCNS system interoperable with LunaNet, the NASA infrastructure currently under development which will support the Artemis programme.

‣ News

WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025

Renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for Kenyan personnel at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre ‣

  The Luigi Broglio Space Centre (BSC) in Malindi hosted the final negotiation meeting today for the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (C.B.A) covering the period 2025–2028. Luca Vincenzo Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), participated via videoconference, while the ASI negotiating delegation—comprising Alessandro Preti, Director of Human Resources; Dalila Sabato, Head of the Union Relations Service; Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi Site; and Maurizio Toninelli from the Malindi Site—signed the new agreement alongside Antony Rajoro, Secretary General of the Kenya Scientific, Research, International, Technical and Institutions Workers Union (KRISTAIWU). Also present was Joseph Kagotho Muriithi, representing the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). Opening the meeting remotely, the Director General expressed appreciation for the efforts of both the Kenyan Union representatives and ASI’s negotiating team, stating: “Today is an important milestone for all of us. The signing of this Collective Bargaining Agreement strengthens the relationship between ASI and its employees. Over the next four years, this agreement will provide a foundation of clear and mutually agreed-upon guidelines, fostering a stable and harmonious work environment where everyone can contribute their best.” Alessandro Preti, ASI’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating: “This agreement is a testament to the power of constructive dialogue and the pursuit of balanced solutions. Our goal remains to cultivate a strong and motivating workplace—one that values the dedication of its employees and ensures their contributions drive the success of our organization.” Both KRISTAIWU’s Secretary General and KSA’s representative expressed their satisfaction with the agreement reached. Following the signing, Munzer Jahjah, Head of the Malindi site (BSC), along with the rest of the ASI negotiating delegation and Union representatives, held a meeting with local BSC employees to present and explain the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

TUESDAY 04 MARCH 2025

LuGRE achieves historic lunar radionavigation milestone ‣

ASI - Agenzia Spaziale Italiana

The NASA-ASI receiver was powered on March 3 MORE...

WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2025

The effect if the wildfire in California observed by PRISMA satellite ‣

PRISMA maps the Palisades area

MORE...

FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 2024

COSMO-SkyMed carried out radar acquisitions to analyse tanker collision in the Black Sea ‣

On Sunday 15th December, bad weather conditions led to an accident involving two oil tankers, resulting in an oil spill in the Kerch Strait. MORE...

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2024

CUBESAT Training Course ‣

From October 28 to November 8, 2024 MORE...