Julien Lamamy, CEO ispace-EUROPE, Charlotte Nassey, ispace-EUROPE, Ovidiu Ratiu, Founder & CEO, CDS, Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO, ispace, Inc., Heloise Vertadier, ispace-EUROPE, Atsushi Saiki, Chief Revenue Officer, ispace, Inc.
ispace-EUROPE and Control Data Systems SRL (CDS) will collaborate to send precise location measurement equipment to the Moon. The transport will include CDS’s technology solution which combines precision localisation and telecommunications with ultra-wideband which can determine precise positions. The Romanian company developed the technology specifically for space applications with the assistance of the European Space Agency.
According to the duo, the move will be “ground-breaking” for future applications in the realm of lunar exploration and potential future commercial opportunities. This is because the Moon lacks any GPS-like system. This collaboration also marks Romania’s first commercial mission to the Moon.
“ispace is providing access to the lunar surface for companies here in Europe and around the world, allowing them to demonstrate and prove their technology,” said Julien Lamamy, CEO of ispace-EUROPE. “We are proud to provide transportation and services to CDS so that they can realise Romania’s first commercial mission to the Moon.”
“CDS is developing communications and positioning technologies which are critical for the future of Moon exploration. Working with ispace will provide us with the opportunity to demonstrate critical technological blocks in the lunar environment for the benefit of future missions,” stated Ovidiu Ratiu, Founder and CEO at CDS.
After the equipment is transported to the Moon, it will be integrated into the APEX 1.0 lunar lander, which forms part of the ispace technologies U.S. Mission 3, scheduled for 2026. The CDS technology will be transported around the surface of the Moon via lunar rover to test the localisation technology using an antenna, which will then remain on the APEX 1.0 lander.