The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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An artist’s impression of Lunar Pathfinder, a pioneering satellite developed with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). As the first step of ESA’s Moonlight programme, Lunar Pathfinder will provide reliable communication services around the Moon, supporting future lunar missions such as NASA’s Artemis and ESA’s Argonaut.
Moonlight aims to establish Europe’s first dedicated satellite constellation for lunar telecommunications and navigation. This week, the programme officially began with a contract signing at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan.
Lunar Pathfinder will ensure seamless connectivity between lunar missions and Earth, enabling continuous communication between astronauts, robots and ground mission control. The satellite will also host experiments to explore the use of Earth’s satellites for lunar navigation as well as collect radiation data around the Moon.
Currently being assembled at SSTL's facilities in the UK, Lunar Pathfinder will undergo rigorous environmental testing before its launch no earlier than 2025 on Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost vehicle.