Posted: Tue, May 25, 2021, 7:45 PM ET (2345 GMT)
ESA has awarded study contracts to two industry groups to work on concepts for lunar communications and navigation systems. Under the Moonlight program, consortia led by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. and Telespazio will examine the feasibility of satellite networks to provide communications and navigation services for other lunar orbiters and landers. The studies will run for 12-18 months, after which ESA will decide which group it will work with on later stages of development of the system, which would also be commercially available for other users.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  BBC article
•  AP article
•  Sky & Telescope article
•  ESA press release