SSTL Lunar Pathfinder Data Relay to Support ESA Cis-Lunar Activity NET 2024

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) to provide communications spacecraft operating on S, X and UHF frequency bands from elliptical lunar orbit, ESA is first major customer under US$23.5M / 5 year agreement formalized at Royal Society in London as launch-for-service exchange with NASA being pursued; David Parker of ESA says “robust & fast communications… will be available to all” in signing release statement; Pathfinder craft will also carry GNSS-extension experiment, radiation detector and retro-reflector

Pictured (clockwise from TL): Surrey Executive Chairman Sir Martin Sweeting, UK Science Minister Amanda Solloway, ESA Director Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director of Human & Robotic Exploration David Parker, Surrey Managing Director Phil Brownnett; Credits: SSTL