A mobile communication and navigation network will be created in Europe. A corresponding program called Moonlight was launched in Milan on the initiative of the European Space Agency.

Its goal is to organize a mobile communication and navigation network on the Moon, and later on Mars. So, for this purpose, groupings of five relay satellites in lunar orbit will be created. The services will be provided to public and private companies.

The first satellite of the project will be launched in 2026, and the provision of services will begin in 2028. In particular, the experimental Lunar Pathfinder repeater satellite, which will be produced by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), will be the first to be launched.

It is expected that over the next 20 years, at least 400 lunar missions will be launched, each of which will require communication with stations in lunar orbit and the Earth.

At the signing ceremony of the program launch agreement in Milan, the Director General of the European Space Agency, Josef Aschbacher, noted that the agency is taking a decisive step in support of the future commercial lunar market, as well as current and future lunar missions. He also added that from now on, many companies and government agencies will not have to think about communication, saving resources on equipment.

In addition to ESA, NASA, JAXA and many companies from around the world participate in the Moonlight program.

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