1 Mar, 2024
LUXEMBOURG–March 1, 2024–ispace EUROPE S.A. (ispace), the Luxembourg-based subsidiary of ispace, inc., and Control Data Systems SRL (CDS) have signed a memorandum of understanding related to payload services and strategic cooperation on future lunar missions, the two companies announced.
The agreement aims to leverage ispace’s lunar transportation services and CDS’s advanced localization (position measurement) and telecommunications capabilities to promote further exploration of the lunar surface aimed at supporting long-term human habitation and infrastructure on the Moon.
CDS’s technology, which combines precision localization with telecommunications, uses Ultra-Wideband for determining precise positions and was developed specifically for space applications with support from the European Space Agency.
The agreement between the two companies marks the first joint step towards significant contributions to the scientific understanding of the Moon for potential future commercial purposes. The two companies have entered into negotiations for future payload services to deliver the technology to the lunar surface. Realization of this future mission would mark the first Romanian payload to be delivered to the Moon.
“Our collaboration with CDS exemplifies how ESA-supported innovations can access affordable and timely lunar demonstrations through our commercial services,” said Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace EUROPE S.A. “This agreement underscores the unique capabilities and services that ispace can offer to customers in Europe and globally. We are excited about future collaborative lunar endeavors with CDS.”
“Working with ispace will allow us to test our localization and communications technology on the lunar surface and better understand how to meet the needs of lunar exploration. The partnership with ispace is a great opportunity for CDS to engage early on in the emerging lunar economy” stated Ovidiu Ratiu, Founder and CEO at CDS.
About ispace, inc. (https://ispace-inc.com)
ispace, a global lunar resource development company with the vision, “Expand our planet. Expand our future.”, specializes in designing and building lunar landers and rovers. ispace aims to extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon. The company has business entities in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States with more than 250 employees worldwide. For more information, visit: www.ispace-inc.com and follow us on X: @ispace_inc.
About CDS (https://www.cds.ro/)
Founded in 1994, Control Data Systems SRL (CDS) is a privately owned technology company located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. CDS is a developer of wireless products and technologies for industrial applications in areas such as aerospace, oil and gas and environmental monitoring, and has successfully executed multiple research projects in the space domain after Romania joined ESA in 2011, including wireless applications for satellite AIT operations and the development of a wireless communication bus for satellite applications.