Research Park business announces lunar comms mission for 2021

On Monday 26th November 2018, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) announced that it is designing a low cost 35kg lunar communications satellite mission called DoT-4, targeted for a 2021 launch. Linking up with a rover on the surface of the Moon, DoT-4 will provide the communications relay back to Earth using the Goonhilly Deep Space Network.

DoT-4 is one of a series of Demonstration of Technology (DoT) missions that SSTL is planning to launch over the coming years.

A larger communications satellite is set to follow in the 2023 timeframe. The aim of this mission is to launch a full constellation of lunar communications satellites offering full service capability to enable new and regular opportunities for science, exploration and economic development of the space environment beyond Earth’s orbit.

Find out more about SSTL.