WASHINGTON — Intuitive Machines will work with Telespazio on their planned lunar satellite networks to ensure interoperability and improve performance.
The companies announced Dec. 11 a strategic cooperation agreement involving their planned constellations. Intuitive Machines is developing at least five data relay satellites in lunar orbit to support NASA’s Near Space Network and other customers, while Telespazio is leading work on a similar system for ESA’s Moonlight program.
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate to ensure their systems are interoperable, effectively increasing the size and capability of the overall lunar communications and navigation network. The agreement includes cooperation on interoperable data terminals and deployment of the satellites.
“Resilient, secure and scalable space infrastructure and space data networks are vital to customers who want to push farther on the lunar surface and beyond to Mars,” Steve Altemus, chief executive of Intuitive Machines, said in a statement. The collaboration, he added, “drives more responsive operations, faster coordination and greater autonomy across exploration and science.”
“This agreement with Intuitive Machines marks a major step toward establishing a sustainable operational framework on the moon, enabling future robotic and human missions from the United States, Europe and beyond to access a robust communications network and high-precision navigation services while operating in the lunar environment,” said Massimo Claudio Comparini, managing director of the space division at Leonardo, which owns two-thirds of Telespazio.
Altemus previewed the agreement during a presentation at the Italian Space Day event at the Italian Embassy here Dec. 4. “This relationship puts together and extends our five-satellite constellation around the moon,” he said, “to expand that to 10 satellites to provide not only data relay communications but also precision navigation and timing.”
He said the partnership has the “full endorsement and cooperation” of both NASA and ESA, anchor customers for the companies’ networks. “I’m sure this critical infrastructure is going to serve us well for at least the next 25 years.”
Giuseppe Lenzo, senior vice president for institutional and domestic marketing and sales in Leonardo’s space division, briefly mentioned the planned cooperation at the same event but did not provide details.
Neither Intuitive Machines nor Telespazio released a timeline or specifics on how their systems will interoperate. Altemus confirmed the first Intuitive Machines satellite is planned to launch next year as a rideshare on the IM-3 lunar lander mission. The company said in November it may turn to Lanteris Space Systems, the former Maxar Space Systems satellite manufacturer that Intuitive plans to acquire, to build larger spacecraft for the network.
Moonlight will include one communications satellite and four navigation satellites, focused on supporting activities at the moon’s south polar region. Lenzo said Moonlight won support at ESA’s recent ministerial conference, allowing the program to continue. ESA said last year it expected to begin initial Moonlight services in 2028 and full services in 2030.
