About

It is a programme to make Europe’s first-ever dedicated satellite constellation for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.

It is a collaborative mission involving the European Space Agency(ESA), various nations, and industrial partners, led by ESA.

Purpose

Its main purpose is to establish a constellation of about five lunar satellites for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.

It also aims to leverage technologies developed from the Moonlight programme to develop Mars Communication and Navigation Infrastructure (MARCONI) for future Mars missions.

The MARCONI is a proposed programme by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a network of satellites to provide communication and navigation services for Mars.

First Launch

Lunar Pathfinder is a communications relay satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology LTD.

It is the first satellite of the programme which is scheduled for launch in 2026.

Operational Timeline

Its initial services are expected by the end of 2028 and it is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

Focus Area

The programme will focus on the Moon’s South Pole.

The South Pole is crucial because the mountain peaks near the South Pole are illuminated for large periods of time, which provides a source of energy.

The South Pole also contains water ice, which could be a valuable resource for drinking water, cooling equipment, and producing fuel and oxygen.

Significance

The mission will do away with the need to have a standalone communication system and countries can now concentrate on astronauts and robotics.

Moonlight will provide the testing of instruments and facilities in lunar conditions and contribute to a multi-planetary future. This will help us better understand the performance of these facilities in environments other than Earth. 

The programme will enable data transfer to over 250,000 miles or 400,000 kilometres, between Earth and the Moon.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the “Moonlight Programme” recently seen in the news: 

1. It is a programme to make a satellite constellation for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.
2. It aims to leverage technologies developed from the programme to develop Mars Communication and Navigation Infrastructure (MARCONI) for future Mars missions.
3. The programme will focus on the Moon’s North Pole.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C. All Three

D.None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

It is a programme to make Europe’s first-ever dedicated satellite constellation for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.

It is a collaborative mission involving the European Space Agency(ESA), various nations, and industrial partners, led by ESA.

Statement 2 is correct: 

Its main purpose is to establish a constellation of about five lunar satellites for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.

It also aims to leverage technologies developped from the Moonlight programme to develop Mars Communication and Navigation Infrastructure (MARCONI) for future Mars missions.

The MARCONI is a proposed programme by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a network of satellites to provide communication and navigation services for Mars.

Statement 3 is incorrect: 

The programme will focus on the Moon’s South Pole.

The South Pole is crucial because the mountain peaks near the south pole are illuminated for large periods of time, which provide a source of energy.

The South Pole also contains water ice, which could be a valuable resource for drinking water, cooling equipment, and producing fuel and oxygen.