Lunar Pathfinder

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]

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

Timeline

• 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

• List of European Space Agency programmes and missions