Agreement Marks Significant Step Towards First Romanian Lunar Mission
Agreement Marks Significant Step Towards First Romanian Lunar Mission
ispace EUROPE and CDS Sign Payload Service Agreement
A payload services agreement to transport precise location measurement equipment to the Moon has been signed between ispace EUROPE and Control Data Systems (CDS).
“CDS is developing communications and positioning technologies which are critical for the future of Moon exploration."
Ovidiu Ratiu, CDS
The CDS technology combines precision localization with telecommunications and uses Ultra-Wideband for determining precise positions. It was developed specifically for space applications with support from the European Space Agency. The lack of a GPS-like system on the Moon makes the technology ground-breaking for future applications related to lunar exploration.
The agreement between the two companies marks the first joint step towards significant contributions to the scientific understanding of the Moon for potential future commercial purposes. It also represents the first Romanian payload to be delivered to the lunar surface. The technology will be integrated into the APEX 1.0 lunar lander as part of ispace technologies U.S. (ispace-U.S.) Mission 3, currently scheduled for 2026. A lunar rover will transport the CDS equipment on the surface to test the localization technology using an antenna that will remain on the APEX 1.0 lander.
“ispace is providing access to the lunar surface for companies here in Europe and around the world, allowing them to demonstrate and prove their technology,” said Julien Lamamy, CEO of ispace-EUROPE. “We are proud to provide transportation and services to CDS so that they can realize Romania’s first commercial mission to the Moon.”
“CDS is developing communications and positioning technologies which are critical for the future of Moon exploration. Working with ispace will provide us with the opportunity to demonstrate critical technological blocks in the lunar environment for the benefit of future missions.” stated Ovidiu Ratiu, Founder and CEO at CDS.
This payload services agreement is the result of collaboration based on a memorandum of understanding signed by ispace and CDS and announced on March 1, 2024.