Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), for the design and development of the space segment of the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LNCS) program, managed by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Moonlight is the ESA-led program by Telespazio to create a satellite constellation orbiting the Moon, designed to provide advanced communication and navigation services. The program will enable precise, autonomous landings and surface mobility, while simultaneously facilitating high-speed, low-latency communication and data transfer between Earth and the Moon.

This infrastructure is crucial for humanity’s return and long-term presence on the Moon, improving efficiency while significantly reducing operational and usage costs. In particular, in collaboration with a network of Italian and international companies and universities, Thales Alenia Space will design, develop, and deploy four lunar elliptical orbit navigation satellites, as well as develop key elements of the ground mission segment and qualify the first satellite navigation system orbiting the Moon.