Lunar Pathfinder
| Mission type | Lunar communications satellite |
|---|---|
| Operator | ESA |
| Website | https://bsgn.esa.int/service/lunar-pathfinder/ |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | SSTL |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | NET 2026 |
Lunar Pathfinder is a future lunar communications satellite[1][2][3] and a precursor to the Moonlight constellation,[4] under development by the European Space Agency (ESA). It is expected to launch in 2026 with the Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 2.[5][6]
Timeline
[edit]- In April 2018, the ESA signed a collaboration agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) and Goonhilly Earth Station (GES) for Commercial Lunar Mission Support Services (CLMSS). The agreement included collaboration on the Lunar Pathfinder mission.[7]
- In October 2019, the Lunar Pathfinder mission was in its pilot phase and had its first business review successfully completed.[8]
- In March 2023, the ESA selected Firefly Aerospace to deliver Lunar Pathfinder to lunar orbit via the Blue Ghost vehicle.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Lunar Pathfinder for lunar connection". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ "Lunar Mission Services from SSTL | Small Satellite supplier | Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd | SSTL". www.sstl.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ "Lunar Pathfinder User Manual" (PDF). www.sstl.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-03-13). "Thales Alenia Space to Build ESA Moonlight Satellites for Telespazio". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ "Blue Ghost Mission 2". Firefly Aerospace. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ "Lunar Pathfinder". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ↑ "ESA signs collaboration agreement for commercial Lunar missions". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ↑ "A pathway for communicating at the Moon". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-03-02.
- ↑ "Firefly to take Lunar Pathfinder to the Moon". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
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