ispace-EUROPE and ALTEC sign lunar rover testing MoU

ispace-EUROPE and ALTEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on lunar rover testing and mission simulation.

The signing took place at the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye.

ispace-EUROPE is the European entity of ispace and is based in Luxembourg.

ALTEC is an Italian centre of excellence in Turin and a public-private company owned by Thales Alenia Space and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

ALTEC provides engineering, logistics and operational services.

Since 2019, ALTEC has operated the Rover Operations Control Centre (ROCC), the mission control facility for ESA's ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover. The centre is currently used for ground testing of rover systems.

ALTEC is developing the Lunar Simulation Centre in Turin with funding from ASI. It will focus on simulation and testing of robotic lunar exploration missions and provide analogue environments and capabilities.

The MoU covers possible use of ALTEC facilities for functional testing, mission simulations and operator rehearsals, as well as verification, validation, training and certification.

It also opens discussion on lunar exploration technologies, lunar mobility and space resource utilization.

ispace-EUROPE is advancing a family of lunar rover systems. The MoU supports development of European capability for future surface mobility missions.

The agreement links ispace-EUROPE’s lunar rover work with ALTEC’s test and operations infrastructure.

It supports European capability and draws on Italian competences and infrastructure backed by ASI, which is relevant to lunar surface mobility and space resource utilization.

The partners will assess opportunities to use ALTEC facilities and explore broader cooperation on lunar exploration technologies, lunar mobility and space resource utilization.

The Lunar Simulation Centre will provide analogue environments and capabilities for testing robotic lunar exploration missions.