Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) has launched an ambitious project to build a network of telecommunications and Sat-nav satellites in lunar orbit. This network will facilitate the construction of modern cities on the Moon with full amenities like on Earth.
In the future, this new infrastructure could turn our natural satellite into the “eighth continent” – where cities can be built on the surface of the Moon. ESA said that the project is called Moonlight with the support of the Lunar Gateway space station and missions on the Moon and the participation of many explorers.
Mr. David Parker – Director of ESA shared with the press: “We are entering a new phase – a stage where humans are likely to explore the “eighth continent”. The Moon is a repository of archives. With the Moonlight project our mission is to take an important step towards uncovering the wonders of the Solar System, which stores 4.5 billion years of history, yet we barely understand its secrets. mystery of the universe”. 
Moon with “satellite constellation” that Moonlight will build, in order to turn this place into “8th continent” – Photo: ESA. The space agency did not disclose the specific cost to carry out this mission, but according to information, a number of companies from the UK, EU and Canada have offered to work with ESA to develop the Moonlight project. They will provide telecommunications and navigation services for crews and robots. The ESA said: “The combination of many agencies and organizations will facilitate the exploration of more space on the Moon. This is one of the goals of the NASA Artemis mission to return humans to the Moon in 2024.” Upon learning of this project, dozens of international, institutional and commercial groups have offered to support ESA. Many of these initiatives come from major space organizations in China, India, Japan, and Russia, along with other astronaut nations and private companies. 
Outline the primitive base that ESA intends to build, which will start a large city in the future – Photo: ESA. These helpers saw benefits from being involved in the project as: Radio astronomers could set up observatories on the far side of the Moon, with the understanding that the signal would move relay information back to Earth easily and quickly. Commercial agencies could develop supporting new services and products, such as virtual reality games in which players control Moon robots. It is possible to name a number of agencies and organizations that propose to participate in the Moonlight project such as: British company Surrey Satellite Technology (SST) will participate in Moonlight and act as a service provider and producer. satellite output. “Our partnership with ESA will provide the world’s first lunar data relay service,” said SST CEO Phil Brownnett. Or London-based Inmarsat and MDA Space and Robotics Ltd (MDA UK), based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Facility in Oxfordshire, both leading the exploration of ideas. They will work on the development of the Lunar Navigation and Communication Service (LCNS) to support future scientific, exploration and commercial activities on the lunar surface. Yasrine Ibnyahya, Senior Director at Inmarsat said: “I am confident that the expertise and assets from Inmarsat can solve problems in the most efficient and cost-effective way. The Moonlight project is the first step to open up future opportunities, it can facilitate human exploration of space, develop technology and can be the basis for access to new resources. “.
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