Press release: Lunar Cargo P.C. and Re-CAE Sàrl Strengthen Collaboration to Enhance Space Mission Planning and Develop Innovative Spacecraft Design
Athens, Greece, and Grimentz, Switzerland – October 11, 2024 – Lunar Cargo P.C., an emerging space startup from Greece, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Swiss computational service provider Re-CAE Sàrl. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on advancing long-term orbit propagation and decay analysis, which will support Lunar Cargo's mission planning initiatives. This collaboration also includes a joint effort to design an innovative spacecraft capable of carrying large wire loads to parking orbits.
As part of the partnership, Lunar Cargo and Re-CAE are making strides in the development of a demisable spacecraft—designed to be safely destroyed upon re-entry—which will serve as an alternative to traditional dummy payloads used in qualification flights. This spacecraft may eventually play a pivotal role in the establishment of a novel lunar landing system, M.A.C.E.D.O.N.A.S. (Momentum Absorption Catcher for Express Deliveries on Non- Atmospheric Somata), a concept envisioned for facilitating soft landings on the Moon and other non-atmospheric celestial bodies.
Key aspects of the collaboration include:
Orbit decay simulations: Re-CAE will provide high-fidelity computational services, simulating long-term orbit decay to optimize Lunar Cargo’s mission planning and spacecraft design.
Mission parameter optimization: Through technical support, Re-CAE will assist in interpreting simulation results, ensuring that Lunar Cargo can fine-tune mission parameters for greater efficiency.
Payload deployment strategies: Re-CAE will help in the preparation and analysis of payload deployment strategies, ensuring accurate alignment with mission goals.
The companies are also moving forward with the spacecraft design aimed at carrying large wire loads to designated parking orbits. This demisable spacecraft will provide an innovative alternative to traditional dummy payloads for qualification flights, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution. Moreover, the spacecraft may serve as a seed material for the future development of the M.A.C.E.D.O.N.A.S. landing system, which is designed to assist with express deliveries to the Moon.
In addition to the technical advancements, Lunar Cargo will facilitate introductions between Re- CAE and key players in Greece’s space sector, including the Hellenic Space Center and prime satellite contractors. This partnership is expected to pave the way for further joint projects and collaboration opportunities between Switzerland and Greece.
"Our collaboration with Re-CAE marks a significant step in our journey toward advancing space mission planning and developing innovative space solutions," said Charis Kosmas, Founder & CEO of Lunar Cargo. "The spacecraft design we are developing not only fills a gap in current qualification flight payloads but may also play a vital role in future lunar landing technologies like M.A.C.E.D.O.N.A.S."
The MoU highlights the increasing importance of international cooperation in advancing space technologies. Both Lunar Cargo and Re-CAE are committed to pushing the boundaries of space mission planning and spacecraft design, with an eye on future Lunar exploration and beyond.
About Lunar Cargo P.C. Lunar Cargo P.C. is a Greece-based space startup focused on delivering innovative Lunar landing solutions. The company specializes in mission planning, payload deployment, space logistics, and the development of spacecraft for orbital and lunar missions. About Re-CAE Sàrl Re-CAE Sàrl, based in Switzerland, provides cutting-edge computational services for the aerospace industry, including high-fidelity simulations for orbit propagation, decay analysis, and mission design support.