Moon missions are facing many challenges in new space exploration, and communication is one of them. The fact that not all locations on the moon are accessible to transmissions from Earth creates an obstacle to cislunar communication. Celestial aims to deploy a small satellite relay constellation in lunar polar orbit to overcome this barrier. A total of three satellites (plus one redundant satellite) will be deployed. Working on the S and X bands, this constellation will be able to communicate and relay data from lunar missions to ground stations on Earth. In addition, Celestial aims to provide its satellite communication system to missions seeking to explore high-radiation Earth orbits. This payload will be lightweight and radiation-hardened, ensuring longer life than the similar communication systems currently available. The biggest benefit for lunar missions lies in the reduced costs made possible by a low-weight communication system and the ability to reach lunar locations that are otherwise inaccessible.

Benefits:

• Increased data transmission rates and continuous communication coverage of the lunar poles
• Low power consumption for low-cost lunar missions
• Access to lunar regions beyond the direct line of sight

The launch capacity of launch providers is not always sufficient to meet the increasing demands on the flexibility of microsatellite operators. Levity Space Systems is developing an electrically propelled microlauncher kickstage, to transport small satellites into higher orbits beyond the microlauncher capabilities. The additional stage establishes a new alternative for satellite operators, by expanding mission capabilities and reducing launch costs, while increasing the launch performance of the microlauncher. The goal is to provide satellite operators with the opportunity to use microlaunchers as a viable alternative to conventional rockets, as they are able to reach low Earth and lunar orbits, reducing launch times, as well as reliable satellite constellation maintenance by specifically replacing defective satellites.

Benefits:

• Transport of small satellites into higher orbits (access to lunar orbit using microlaunchers)
• Reduction of the launch interval from 24 to 3 months
• Reduction of launch- and opportunity costs
• Deployment and maintenance of microsatellite constellations
• Avoidance of secondary payload restrictions
• Increasing number of possible satellite concepts and applications