The Italian Space Agency has commissioned British company Blue Skies Space to design a fleet of satellites aimed at mapping the early universe. These CubeSats will be equipped with commercial off-the-shelf components and are intended to orbit the Moon’s far side, an area shielded from Earth’s radio interference. By detecting faint radio signals from shortly after the Big Bang, these satellites aim to provide insights into the universe’s “dark ages” before the formation of the first stars. This initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as NASA’s deployment of the ROLSES-1 radio telescope on the Odysseus lander and the upcoming LuSEE-Night project, a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy. Integrating these satellites into ESA’s Moonlight program could enhance lunar communication and navigation, facilitating accurate positioning and data transmission for observational satellites.
Mapping the Early Universe: A Fleet of Lunar Satellites
