 |
 |
31 Dec 2024
Italian Space Agency and iSpace-Europe to deploy the palm-sized optical device on the dark side of the Moon.
ispace-Europe and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have signed a deal to transport a compact laser retroreflector array (LaRA2) to the dark side of the Moon.
The optical device, a much more compact version of the retroreflector originally left on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, will be integrated into the “APEX 1.0” lunar lander as part of a broader mission featuring ispace’s US division.
That mission is currently scheduled to arrive at the Schrödinger Basin, close to the lunar south pole, in 2026. After touchdown, ASI will enable long-term laser ranging observations of LaRA2 by lunar orbiters.
Lunar navigation
According to ASI and ispace-Europe, the agreement marks the first full-scale contract between the two organizations, with both parties said to be looking towards more joint lunar development in the future.
LaRA2 is described as a small, robust, and lightweight instrument designed to work without any need for a power source, and capable of surviving the harsh surface conditions experienced on the Moon for long periods of time.
It features a precise array of corner cube prisms that will reflect laser light directly back to its source, regardless of the angle of incidence. The same kind of instrument is already installed on NASA’s “Perseverance” rover, which is currently exploring Mars.
Julien Lamamy, the CEO of ispace-Europe, said in a joint statement issued by the mission partners: “This collaboration with the Italian Space Agency is a great example of how commercial companies are enablers to lunar science led by space agencies.
“Adding LaRA2 to the existing retroreflectors deployed on the Moon will open new possibilities of mapping the surface for scientific research and will help [refine] navigation capabilities to enable future missions.”
Global presence
By coupling the LaRA2 measurements with measurements from the other retroreflectors previously deployed on the near side of the Moon during previous missions, ASI’s scientists expect to gather valuable data that will help map the Moon, and improve navigation and positioning on the lunar surface.
ispace says that it is benefiting from its global presence, which includes business units in Japan, the US, and Luxembourg, for the simultaneous development of forthcoming missions.
So-called “Mission 2”, featuring the RESILIENCE lunar lander and TENACIOUS micro rover, is led by ispace-Japan and is currently scheduled for launch in early 2025.
“Mission 3”, which is led by iSpace-US and debuting the APEX 1.0 lunar lander, should launch in 2026, while “Mission 6”, which will utilize the Series 3 lander and is currently being designed in Japan, is scheduled for launch in 2027.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| © 2025 SPIE Europe |
|
