The Lunar Pathfinder satellite is set to launch in 2024 with a particular emphasis on covering the far side of the Moon.
For prospecting, exploring, and ultimately using the far side of the Moon, Lunar Pathfinder’s communications relay service will provide a vital communications bridge between Earth and the lunar surface.
Exploring the far side of the Moon, particularly the South Pole Aitkin Basin, is a key area for future robotic and human exploration due to its chemical and mineral composition. The far side and polar regions of the Moon are a particular area of interest to space agencies as a potential source of resources for water, fuel and oxygen.
The stable elliptical orbit of Lunar Pathfinder will allow for long duration visibility of the Southern Lunar Hemisphere each day, with maximum opportunities for the transmission and reception of data between Earth and the lunar surface.
It is ESA’s first step towards its ambition to create a network of...