Science & Tech · Space · 4 hrs ago
Astrolab plans Moon power and communications network using FLEX rovers
Astrolab unveiled LUMIS, a planned lunar power and communications network on November 4.
The system would use the company’s FLEX rovers to carry utility nodes across the Moon, rather than leaving them at a landing site.
Initial nodes are designed to generate 2 kilowatts each, with future versions reaching 20 kilowatts.
Connected units could provide more than 100 kilowatts of power for lunar equipment and operations.
The nodes could also provide communications, local wireless connections and data services, including in areas near the Moon’s south pole where terrain can affect sunlight and contact with Earth.
This could help support longer operations and let customers use shared infrastructure instead of building and maintaining their own.
Astrolab is targeting a first deployment in 2028 on a commercial FLEX mission aboard SpaceX’s Starship.
Astrolab unveiled its Lunar Utility Module for Industrial Services (LUMIS), a planned system for providing power, communications and data services on the Moon.
Utility nodes carried by FLEX rovers could be connected into a network delivering more than 100 kilowatts of electricity.
Initial demonstration nodes are designed to generate 2 kilowatts each, with future versions potentially reaching 20 kilowatts.
Astrolab says mobile nodes could be placed where sunlight and communications coverage are better, including near the lunar south pole.
The company is targeting its first LUMIS deployment in 2028 as part of a commercial FLEX mission aboard SpaceX’s Starship.
- Who
- Astrolab, which is developing the LUMIS system and FLEX rovers.
- What
- The company plans a lunar network of power, communications and data nodes transported and positioned by FLEX rovers.
- When
- LUMIS was unveiled on November 4, 2026. Astrolab is targeting its first deployment in 2028.
- Where
- On the Moon, including areas near the south pole.
- Why
- To provide energy, connectivity and data services for lunar missions, including before anticipated nuclear energy systems become available.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Astrolab unveiled LUMIS and described it as a system for providing energy, connectivity and data services on the Moon.
Astrolab is targeting the first LUMIS deployment on a commercial FLEX mission aboard SpaceX’s Starship.
- Initial node output
- 2 kW each
- Potential future node output
- 20 kW each
- Planned network capacity
- More than 100 kW
- Internal power reserves
- Designed to support operations for more than 400 hours while supplying external payloads
- First deployment target
- 2028
- Target mission
- Commercial FLEX mission aboard SpaceX’s Starship