Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with Telespazio to design and develop the space segment of the Navigation System and satellite navigation infrastructure for ESA’s Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) program.
A Leap Forward in Lunar Exploration
Moonlight is an ESA program led by Telespazio to create a satellite constellation orbiting the Moon, designed to provide advanced communication and navigation services.
The program will enable precise and autonomous moon landings and surface mobility while facilitating high-speed, low-latency communication and data transfer between Earth and the Moon. This infrastructure is critical for humanity’s long-term return and presence on the Moon, enhancing efficiency and significantly reducing operational costs.
Telespazio’s Role as Prime Contractor
On October 15, 2024, Telespazio signed a contract with ESA to guide and develop the LCNS program. This project involves an industrial consortium of specialized companies, with Telespazio serving as the prime contractor and overseeing the overall system. Within this framework, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for designing and developing the LCNS Navigation System and the satellite navigation infrastructure.
Thales Alenia Space’s Key Responsibilities
In collaboration with a network of Italian and international companies and universities, Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, development, and deployment of four lunar elliptical orbit navigation satellites. Additionally, the company will oversee key elements of the Earth mission segment and conduct complete testing and validation of the first satellite navigation system orbiting the Moon.
Thales Alenia Space’s Commitment to Innovation
“We are extremely proud to be a key pillar in the Moonlight program, providing the navigation system and infrastructure that will orbit the Moon,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Vice President, Observation, Exploration, and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “The partnership with Telespazio, in line with the Space Alliance’s objectives, will ensure the development of a complete turnkey solution for the European Space Agency. Thales Alenia Space is the ideal partner for such an ambitious program, leveraging both the expertise developed in Satellite Navigation systems and infrastructures, as demonstrated through major projects like Galileo, and the experience gained in Space Exploration and orbital infrastructures.”
Strengthening European Leadership in Space
“This contract represents another step forward in the solid collaboration between Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space within the Space Alliance, confirming the strategic value of this partnership in the field of space infrastructure,” said Gabriele Pieralli, CEO of Telespazio. “Together, we are providing ESA with a complete and innovative solution for lunar navigation, combining Telespazio’s expertise in managing and integrating large-scale space programs with the engineering excellence of Thales Alenia Space. The Moonlight program, confirming Italy’s leadership in space exploration, is a unique opportunity to strengthen Europe’s role in space exploration and enable future lunar missions with advanced and reliable technologies.”
