Lunar Pathfinder
Lunar Pathfinder is a future lunar communications satellite and a precursor to the Moonlight constellation, under development by the European Space Agency. It is expected to launch in 2026 with the Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 2.
Timeline
- In April 2018, the ESA signed a collaboration agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology and Goonhilly Earth Station for Commercial Lunar Mission Support Services. The agreement included collaboration on the Lunar Pathfinder mission.
- In October 2019, the Lunar Pathfinder mission was in its pilot phase and had its first business review successfully completed.
- In March 2023, the ESA selected Firefly Aerospace to deliver Lunar Pathfinder to lunar orbit via the Blue Ghost vehicle.